Her sculptural creations have adorned the hands of Rihanna and Rosalía. Here, Sojin Oh shares her approach to unwinding after a long day of creating.
Before Bed: Nail Artist Sojin Oh Hits Reset With CBD Bath Salts and Total Freedom Mixtapes
Sojin Oh wasn’t envisioning a career in beauty when she first picked up the brush. In fact the L.A.-based artist spent years working as a creative producer across fashion brands including Yeezy and American Apparel. But when she couldn’t find a nail tech who could create the designs she was into, she decided to take matters into her own hands. “I have always been artistically driven, so I decided to try and learn for fun,” Oh tells Vogue. “Once I was able to manifest these creations, I became obsessed.”
In just a few years, Oh’s work has been spotted on Rihanna, Hunter Schafer, and Rosalía as well as in campaigns for YSL Beauty and Skims. It’s no surprise she’s so sought-after given her distinct take on nails as 3D art.
Looking across her portfolio, it’s clear that Oh is deeply inspired by nature and the inherent beauty of species often labeled ugly (think jet-black beetles and blossoming fungi). The reference goes beyond aesthetics. “I realized that by celebrating the beauty of nature, we can voice the importance of preserving the earth,” she shares. “This environmentalist slant breathes through all my work, even if it is just a color choice or the dewdrop effect I apply to some of my signature sets.”
Oh has an equally holistic vision when it comes to her growth as an artist. While social media has altered the landscape of how we communicate and share art, ultimately benefitting Oh’s practice, she’s concerned that the drive to “outperform” is embedded within its algorithm, dividing artists who might otherwise work together. “It seems that there is a common impulse for outlets to chase what’s currently the hottest or the best, and I worry that this generates competition between artists and kills creativity and community. There should be an environment within which all beauty practitioners can come together, discuss their experiences, share ideas, and collaborate on an ideation level rather than a competitive one.”
This story originally appeared on: Vogue - Author:Michella Oré
