Once upon a time, Jin Sook Nam picked up a 4b pencil and sketched self-portraits to kill some minutes. Although private, her many works reflected the anguish and contradictory sentiments that plagued her from the verge of rock bottom.

On a beautiful spring’s day back in 2009, Jin Sook went for a wander around Deoksugung Palace. With a wintry gale hanging in the air, she walked a familiar route and spotted a light green object protruding subtly through the hardened surface of the distant bark. This unassuming sprout captivated Jin Sook that day, setting in motion the creation of a remarkable series of botanical paintings that would go on to change her life. From the shackles of depression, this series symbolized Jin Sook’s decision to reclaim control of her life and once again water the withered contents of her darkened mind.

In recent times, Jin Sook visits botanical gardens and local parks to observe the sprouts and kicks off each day by painting something in the wild that catches her eye. In the form of bubbles, she showcases nature’s hidden power and endless potential for growth. Having observed the plants for so long, she now considers herself one of them. While Jin Sook cannot predict when her flower will blossom, she continues to grow in her own way, one painting at a time.

Plant 1 (2017). Oil on Canvas. 35 x 52cm.

Plant in the Summer (2020). Oil on Canvas. 72.6 x 90.9.

The Plants 1 (2015). Oil on Canvas. 37.9 x 45.4cm.

Plant Life (2018). Oil on Canvas. 91 x 116.6cm

The Sprout 13 (2014). Oil on Canvas. 33.5 x 45.5cm.

Discover more of Jin Sook’s works in Issue 1 of our magazine!