Lim, Kim (USA),
Murmurs of Paper
MURMURS OF PAPER
Murmurs of Paper is about transforming paper into a living and moving surface that mimics fabric, where sound, texture, and motion come together to create a dress that flows and whispers like rain.
ARTIST STATEMENT
Kim lim
Kim Lim: designer and maker based in Colorado, USA. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Apparel Design and Production from Colorado State University and have worked as an apparel product developer for more than ten years. My background in garment construction and material development shapes how I approach my creative work. Alongside my industry experience, I am a hands-on maker who enjoys crafting, 3D printing, sewing, and sculpting, with a particular focus on paper dresses.
I am drawn to material transformation and to exploring how structured materials can shift into something unexpected. I am interested in the moment when something rigid becomes fluid, and when something flat becomes dimensional.
I work primarily with paper and textiles, focusing on surface, structure, and movement. Rather than traditional garment construction, I often build through layering and repeated units. Many of my pieces begin with simple systems such as grids, folds, or modular shapes that gradually develop into motion.
Paper fascinates me because of its contradiction. It is often seen as fragile, temporary, and stiff, yet it holds strength through folds and tension. When cut into strips or shaped into layers, paper begins to respond like fabric. It moves with air, reflects light, and creates a quiet presence around the body.
My goal has always been to make paper look and move like fabric. Through cutting, layering, and rebuilding, I have discovered that dividing paper into smaller elements softens its behavior. I enjoy using repetition to create depth and flow. When many small pieces are arranged carefully, they begin to move together as one surface. This changes how the material falls, bends, and even how it sounds.
My work explores how structure can create fluidity and how a familiar material can be seen in a new way. I want viewers to pause and look twice. Is it really made of paper?