London Craft Week runs from 12 to 18 May. It’s a great opportunity to meet with some of the finest makers around and appreciate their craft. This year you can visit the V+A on 13 May to see horsehair weaver Dahye Jeong demonstrate her craft. In addition, two exhibitions displaying traditional and contemporary Korean crafts will be on show in Cromwell Place. (The venue seems to have undergone a rebrand since last year and is now known as The Lavery after the new restaurant on the premises). And for those who can’t be in London that week, the Korean exhibitions will be opening from the end of April / beginning of May. Separately, Han Collection is mounting a special exhibition in their showroom during London Craft Week.
Objects of Beautification
The Lavery / Cromwell Place Gallery 10 from 2-18 May 2025 (excluding Bank Holiday Monday May 5th)
Organised by Korea Heritage Agency | Booking not necessary
Featured Artists: Park Su-young | Nam Gyeong-suk | Park Jong-gun | Kwon Yeong-jin | Kim Dong-gyu | Jo Sang-ok | Bae In-sook | Ha Eun-jeong | Kim Joo-young | Kim Si-jae
The Korea Heritage Agency, founded in 1980, is dedicated to preserving and promoting Korea’s traditional craft skills. In collaboration with government-designated National Intangible Cultural Heritage artisans, it works to safeguard the techniques and values that have been passed down through generations, ensuring their continuity for the future.
In 2025, they proudly make their debut at London Craft Week, showcasing ‘Objects of Beautification’. This exhibition highlights a decade-long initiative to develop craft objects deeply rooted in Korea’s rich cultural traditions and history. By blending time-honoured techniques with contemporary design elements, the exhibition reflects the Agency’s commitment to preserving intangible cultural heritage while embracing modern aesthetics.
The exhibition features traditional Korean craft techniques recognised as part of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage of Korea, including gold leaf printing, quilting, lacquerware, ramie weaving and more. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted by National Intangible Cultural Heritage artisans, who embody generations of knowledge and skill. These traditional crafts are showcased alongside modern interpretations, demonstrating the fusion of heritage with contemporary design.
One of the unique aspects of ‘Objects of Beautification’ is the collaboration between artisans and leading designers, who work together to create innovative interpretations of these time-honoured crafts. This fusion of tradition and innovation highlights the evolving relevance of Korean craft in the modern world.
Experience the beauty of Korea’s cultural heritage through these exceptional works of art. Discover the stories of artisans who continue to preserve and innovate within this rich tradition, celebrating both the past and future of Korean craftsmanship.
Landscape of Materials
The Lavery / Cromwell Place Hazel Studio from Tuesday 29 April – Sunday 18 May (closed on 11 May)
Curated by Soluna Art Group | Booking not necessary
Featured Artists: Dahye Jeong | Keeryong Choi | Kyouhong Lee | Woosun Cheon | Yaerin Pyun
Soluna Art Group is proud to present the finest in Korean craftsmanship. Explore original works that push the boundaries of craft, showcasing how diverse material properties can mimic, expand and experiment with form. Metals resemble bamboo, ceramics take on the appearance of natural rocks, and much more.
These qualities exemplify contemporary expressions that cross over various art genres. Naturally, each artist represented by Soluna Art Group brings their own unique narrative. Their work, while rooted in Korea, now speaks in a universal language that resonates across cultures and borders.
For over a decade, Soluna Art Group has dedicated itself to presenting Korean craft beyond its borders, and never have they witnessed such a surge in demand as they are experiencing now. Under the theme of ‘Landscape of Materials’, they are proud to present some of the finest craft works, offering them for collection to the discerning art connoisseurs of the UK and Europe. The showcase this year is accompanied by talks and workshops all around London in renowned art-related organisations.
Maker Demonstration: Dahye Jeong
13 May 2025, 10:30 – 16:30, Victoria and Albert Museum | Booking not necessary
Dahye Jeong, the 2022 Loewe Foundation Craft Prize winner, demonstrates her technique of working with horsehair, showcasing how she transforms flat fibres into intricate three-dimensional forms.
Dahye’s inspiration comes from Korean men’s headwear, worn between 1392 and the end of the 19th century, which often signified the wearer’s social status. After designing her shapes, Dahye creates wooden molds and weaves the horsehair using a single needle. Much of her work revolves around sourcing the best horsehair, some of which comes from her native Jeju Island, Korea’s horse-breeding region, as well as from various parts of the world.
The weaving techniques Dahye employs are rooted in the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910), though she has recently developed her own unique weaves based on historical facts. Despite the simplicity of her technique, using only one needle, the forms she creates are intricate and immaculate. Her approach emphasizes the state of mind and the investment of time, achieved through repetitive labor. Hours of painstaking practice have enabled her to reach the highest levels of mastery. There is no other artist quite like Dahye, who is diligent, disciplined, and always eager to explore new possibilities.
Dahye Jeong is currently represented by Soluna Craft, one of Korea’s leading art companies. Since 2023, Soluna Craft has been featured in London Craft Week, fostering a strong collaborative relationship with the Korean Pavilion. Once again, Soluna Craft presents the best of Korean Fine Craft at Cromwell Place, Lady Hazel Gallery.