Jimin Son has built a career defined by artistic excellence with international reach. As the photographer, art director, and founder of Round Studio, she has collaborated with global names including Christian Dior, Samsung, Hilton, and BTS, while presenting her work at the Venice Biennale and Art Basel in Switzerland.
Recognized as an international artist by the Korean Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, she has earned awards from Canon Korea, the Park Kun-Hee Foundation, and the Korea Arts Council, among others. Her practice is supported by partnerships with brands such as Leica, spans exhibitions, commercial projects, and published works that bridge art and storytelling.
After being diagnosed with a rare Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-like (ALS) condition that left her paralyzed and unable to speak, Son overcame life-threatening challenges and found new purpose in art therapy.
“My artistic journey has taught me that flaws and struggles can be transformed into beauty,” Son reflects, drawing inspiration from Korea’s traditional craft of “najeonchilgi” (mother-of-pearl lacquerware), where imperfections are preserved and elevated. “My life has followed a similar path: after a period where I was completely paralyzed and unable to speak, I have emerged into a new chapter filled with opportunity and light.”
Joining NYU Abu Dhabi’s MFA Art and Media program is a natural progression shaped by both her personal experience and a vision for the future. A brief visit to Abu Dhabi after the Venice Biennale further cemented her decision.
She was struck by NYUAD’s modern campus, the presence of world-class cultural institutions such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi and the upcoming Guggenheim. The University’s vision and its proximity to world-class cultural institutions made her choice clear.
At NYUAD, Son aims to broaden her perspective on the Middle East, build creative collaborations across the University’s global network, and continue developing her artistic and healing practices. Her long-term vision includes staging exhibitions in Abu Dhabi, undertaking commercial photography projects in the region, and integrating mindfulness into art therapy.
“Abu Dhabi is a rapidly growing city with limitless potential, and I look forward to growing alongside it,” she says. Beyond her academic pursuits, she is excited to experience the desert, explore the city’s cultural landscape, and connect with NYUAD’s diverse student community.
