Korean craftsmanship meets modern design at 2024 Craft Trend Fair

By Lee Gyu-lee

From mobile installations made with "hanji" (Korean traditional handmade paper) to gold leaf-imprinted pouches and boxes created by a National Intangible Cultural Heritage-designated artisan, traditional Korean crafts shine at this year's Craft Trend Fair, blending modern designs to prove their relevance.

The 19th edition of the fair, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by Korea Craft & Design Foundation (KCDF), commenced its four-day run at COEX in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, Thursday, providing a platform for craftspeople to share their work and interact with fellow artisans and customers.

Under the theme of “Extraordinary Objects that Shine in My Life,” the fair features five distinct zones: the main exhibition, Rising Craftsman to showcase emerging artists, Craft Studio for local brands, companies, and workshops, Craft Galleries & Institutions, and the International Guest Pavilion.

“This year's theme is everyday luxury. In fact, crafts are connected to living aesthetics and are objects embedded in the basic needs of our daily lives. When we talk about luxury, we often think of popular and expensive or high-end brands, but in reality, luxury in our lives can be defined as precious items that match our individuality and hold dear memories and attachments based on our personal needs,” said Kang Jae-young, this year’s artistic director, during a press conference, Thursday.

“It’s an era where everyone pursues diverse individual styles. In this time, I hope you find the joy of discovering your own unique treasures at this fair.”

Under the title “Lines of Nature, Lines of Aesthetics,” the main exhibition showcases a diverse range of craftworks by Korean artists, including tableware, furniture, accessories, and lifestyle items. The exhibit explores the delicacy of craftsmanship, with a focus on various interpretations of lines, such as the uniquely shaped metal chopsticks by Chung Mi-sun and the twig-inspired silver spoons by Ko Hye-jeong.

“If Chinese craftworks are known for showcasing the aesthetic of form, and Japanese craft emphasizes the aesthetic of color, then Korean craft has long been recognized for its focus on the aesthetic of line,” Kang said.

“Not only traditional art historians and cultural heritage but also today's contemporary craftspeople aim to reinterpret tradition and express the rich materiality and aesthetic of craft by infusing modern sensibilities. So capturing the natural lines inherent in nature and infusing them with the spirit and energy of inner practice, the exhibition showcases the sophisticated activities of craftspeople.”

The fair highlights K-craft’s evolution and potential through exhibition booths set up by craft galleries and institutions, including one by the Korea Heritage Service. The state-run agency has brought together certified craft masters of national intangible cultural heritage with designers to create a diverse collection of craftworks, such as a gold leaf imprinted master’s leather box.

The fair also introduces up-and-coming artisans who were selected through a competitive process to provide insight into the future of K-craft.

Kang shared that Korean craftwork has been receiving growing interest from the global market and expressed hope that this fair will provide an opportunity for emerging artists, who will contribute to expanding K-craft’s presence worldwide.

“At this year’s Homo Faber, an international craftwork exhibition in Venice, Korea ranked fourth in terms of the number of invited artists, behind Italy and France...What I heard in Europe was that people were surprised by the quality of Korean artists' crafts. They expressed a desire for more introduction and exposure. I am very much looking forward to this being an opportunity for significant growth and showcasing Korean crafts to the world,” she said.

“After COVID-19, the world has become more focused on individual creation and emphasizing national identity, which has led to craft and art being more deeply connected to materials and nature. This shift is influencing not just customers but the contemporary art world. Craftspeople are beginning to connect more deeply with architecture and modern art, expanding their roles as artists. I believe there are now many examples of Korean craftspeople evolving into internationally recognized artists.”