Originally from South Korea, SJ Paik is pursuing his Master of Fine Arts degree in the jewelry program at Savannah College of Art and Design. He also received an MFA in metalwork from Kookmin University in South Korea, where he focused on using both conventional metalsmithing and computer techniques to make his artworks. He has created public sculptures in addition to operating his own studio, and taught at three different universities. Working with wires with gold drops, he explores different ways of combining traditional jewelry and computer-aided design to create his pieces.