WHAT IS IN YOUR HAND
-A CONNECTING PROJECT-
PROLOGUE
"This project is dedicated to forging a community rooted in our individual stories and the unique gifts we hold in our hands. We are beginning this journey with six individuals, with the hope that these connections will grow to form a truly creative and genuine community: H+
story of
Bonam kim
Story by Hanna Yoo
Cinematography by Marlo Irani
Photography by Tessa Belle Dillman
AD - Aneli Garrido
PA - Asia Smudde Tom, Ella Belle Warner
I remember first meeting Bonam as she walked in with a quiet, graceful presence, a little shy, yet wearing a smile full of sparkling curiosity. I could immediately tell that Bonam was Korean, like me. In that brief first conversation, I became curious about her life and the way she moved through the world, and later we met again at her studio.
Bonam’s studio became one of the motivations that led me to open my own studio. In her work, the stories of how she has lived and how she continues to live are written like a diary through her installations and sculptures. In her pieces, I can see traces of wounds, like the burn scar on her palm that has healed over time. I can also see the image of a girl holding longing and warmth, as well as a quiet strength.
And in those qualities, I find a reflection of myself as well.
I feel truly grateful to have the chance to share Bonam’s story through the hands that hold her world, and I want to express my heartfelt thanks to her for taking the time to share this moment together.
-Hanna Yoo
Please tell us about yourself — who you are, what you do, and what currently inspires or drives you.
I’m Bonam, a sculptor and designer based in Brooklyn. My work explores how memory and displacement take shape through space and objects.
As an immigrant, navigating adaptation and uncertainty has shaped the way I see the world.
I create small-scale architectural sculptures that transform personal histories into intimate spaces, examining how identity and our sense of home evolve over time.
What does “Sculpture” mean to you? — What is your message from what you create, and where is your passion in it?
Sculpture is my language. Living abroad in a different cultural environment, I sometimes struggle to fully express myself through words. Sculpture allows me to communicate in a way that feels complete and honest.
Through making, I feel grounded and fully present. My work often draws from personal experiences — memory, displacement, and adaptation. What feels most meaningful to me is when viewers connect with the work and see their own stories reflected in it.
In those moments, I feel that my language has truly reached someone else. I believe that the most personal experiences can also become the most universal.
How would you describe your connection with Hanna?
I’ve always been drawn to sculptural objects, so when I first saw Hanna’s work, it immediately resonated with me. I love how she combines different materials and expressive forms — each piece feels like it carries its own story. I wear her earrings almost every day; it feels like carrying a small sculptural companion with me.
What do you carry in your hand right now?
I’m holding the space between where I come from and where I am now.
‘What is in your hand’, Bonam’s Hand with B Day Ring, 2026_photography by Tessa Belle Dillman
‘What is in your hand’, Bonam’s Hand with Hanna’s Hand, 2026_photography by Tessa Belle Dillman
‘What is in your hand’, Bonam’s Hand, 2026_photography by Tessa Belle Dillman
‘What is in your hand’, Bonam’s Hand Sculpture, 2026_photography by Tessa Belle Dillman
‘What is in your hand’, Bonam’s Hand Sculpture, Last Touch, 2026_photography by Tessa Belle Dillman
Contact us to share your story
H+ Community welcomes creative and genuine connections with anyone who wishes to share their life journey in any shape or form.
Feel free to contact Hanna, and let’s create a story together that we can keep in our memories with smiles.