About

Often, beauty is discovered in the simplicity and serenity of small details. It exists in the nuances of craftsmanship and the precision of execution. ‘Hidden Gem’ presents seven artists who demonstrate the subtlety of Korean craft, centring their practice around materiality and process.

During the last imperial dynasty of Korea (1392-1910), highly decorative art fell out of fashion with an increased emphasis on meticulous craftsmanship. Restraint and refinement were favoured, although a sense of luxury endured through the precise purification of raw materials, resulting in a clarity of finishes and forms. Guided by these traditional values, these contemporary artisans take the nature of their chosen materials as their starting point, finding beauty and acceptance in both the act of making and the outcome. In ‘Hidden Gem,’ quiet labour and materiality are evident in each object. That moment when the light hits and you notice a detail, a texture – the suggestiveness of a surface. The works on display are connected by their understated intricacies.

The exhibition will highlight pieces by metal artist Kim Hyun-ju, textile artist Lee So-ra and ceramic artists Jo Hee-jin, Park Sung-wook, Yun Ju-cheol, and Won Yusun. Alongside these will be the poetic woodwork of Mok-su, and we are pleased to present for the first time the turned vessels of the Loewe Craft Prize Finalist, Kim Min-wook.

TALK; ‘Korean Artistry in European Interiors’ on 18th May, 4-5 pm
A conversation between gallery director Lloyd Choi and luxury interior designer Louise East, on what Korean Arts and Crafts can bring into the European Home. Discussing the rich heritage of Korean artistic traditions and their impact on Louise’s projects as she incorporates these influences into her interiors.