"Glad that the excellence of horsehair craft seems to be proven over time"
Artist Jeong Da-hye, who continues the legacy of horsehair craft, became the first Korean to win the prestigious Loewe Foundation Craft Prize.
On the 30th, at the Craft Prize award ceremony held at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art in Jongno-gu, Seoul, the Loewe Foundation announced Jeong as the winner for her work "A Time of Sincerity." "A Time of Sincerity" is a basket shaped like comb-patterned pottery. Each strand of horse mane and tail hair was woven by hand onto a wooden sculptural frame that Jeong crafted herself. Jeong said, "Horsehair craft is one of Korea's most original and unique crafts. During the Joseon Dynasty, hats were made from horsehair, but I wanted to capture the characteristics of horsehair to express the direction I want my life to take."
Judge Anasu Jabalbeascoa said, "The tightly woven horsehair conveyed human anguish," adding, "Within its simplicity lies complex techniques, talent, tradition, and historicity, leading to an almost unanimous agreement among the expert panel and jury for the first time." Jonathan Anderson, Loewe's Creative Director, praised, "This is a modern work created using the skills of Korean artisans from 500 years ago," and described the labor-intensive craft as "an antidote to the digital media world."
Horsehair craft was highly important during the Joseon Dynasty, used in various head ornaments such as the gat (traditional Korean hat). However, it declined during the Japanese colonial period with the short hair order and survived only as a specialty product of Jeju Island. Jeong reinterprets it in a modern way, creating various sculptures such as objects, accessories, and mobiles. She said, "I work with the thought that this is not just a solo project but a continuation of the long history of horsehair craft," and added, "I am even happier because this award seems to prove the excellence and longevity of horsehair craft, which we have enjoyed for over 500 years."
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