Light of Weaving: Labour-Hand-Hours, at the KCC

Co-presented by the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange (KOFICE), the Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK), and the Soluna Art Group, this exhibition highlights the very best of Korean aesthetics through the concept of ‘Weaving’.

Bringing together eleven masters and artists, the exhibition displays pieces that have been creatively formed by employing long-established Korean techniques and materials. The works narrate tradition, where our ancestors reflected the value, dignity, and wisdom of their lives. Ranging from ceramics, glass, horsehair, textiles and natural lacquer, these materials are metamorphosed into unique objects that radiate the essence of Korean beauty. The installation utilises the objects’ silhouette and texture through the use of light and shadow, which expands identity of each piece. Exploring the theme of weaving, the exhibition aims to both form a connection between East and West as well as to encompass all generations.

Dahye Jeong winner of the 2022 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize works with horsehair, a fast-diminishing trait. Daeyong Cho, has been designated as Korea’s intangible cultural asset, is a fourth-generation bamboo blind maker and his works were featured in the Netflix series Kingdom. Sinhyeok Ha creates clay landscapes with his vessels. Jaenyoung Jang makes the perfect form of porcelain objects. Yikyung Kim is a first-generation contemporary ceramic artist who creates porcelain pieces. Jungmo Kwon designs lights by experimenting with Korean paper Hanji. Youngsun Lee’s textile pieces are an interpretation of Korean monochrome paintings. The exhibition also features the 2023 Loewe Foundation Finalists: Woosun Cheon makes metal wicker-like pieces and Kyouhong Lee’s works are inspired by traditional objects. Healim Shin deconstructs canvas to create on-off objects and art jewelry. The 2021 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize Finalist Sungyoul Park experiments with lacquer sap.

The exhibition will be open to the public from 11 May to 30 June and will be free of charge. On 10 May an opening reception will include a demonstration of bamboo blind making by Daeyong Cho, and the following day from 5.30pm, the artists Dahye Jeong and Daeyong Cho will be presenting a talk and Q&A about their works.

Participating artists: Wooseon Cheon | Shinhyeok Ha | Jaenyoung Jang | Dahye Jeong | Daeyong Cho | Yikyung Kim | Jungmo Kwon | Kyouhong Lee | Youngsun Lee | Sungyoul Park | Healim Shin

About the artists

Daeyong Cho

Designated as an intangible cultural asset in making fine bamboo blinds, Daeyong Jo’s work was featured in the Netflix series Kingdom.

Dahye Jeong

Winner of the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize 2022, Dahye Jeong works in horsehair based on the Joseon Dynasty men’s headwear.

Kyouhong Lee

Kyouhong Lee is one of the best glass artists of Korea, trained in many different glass techniques, from blowing to casting and stained glass.

Jungmo Kwon

Jungmo Kwon is a contemporary hanji (Korean paper) artist making lights by folding paper.