[Gyeongju APEC] Korean Craft Exhibition "Future Heritage" Opens at Cheongun Complex Cultural Space in Gyeongju

Three Themes: Excellence, Transmission and Collaboration, and Sustainability

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with the Korea Craft & Design Foundation, will hold the Korean Craft Exhibition "Future Heritage" at the Cheongun Complex Cultural Space in Gyeongju until November 30, 2025, in conjunction with the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit.

This exhibition sheds light on the value and philosophy of craft culture spanning the past, present, and future, and interprets the APEC principles of "connection, innovation, and prosperity" through the language of craft.

66 Works by 36 Artists on Display: Showcasing the Excellence and Future Value of Korean Craft

Designed to provide an overview of the flow of Korean craft, the exhibition features a total of 36 participants, ranging from master artisans to emerging artists. Through 66 works in metal, ceramics, textiles, glass, and more, the exhibition highlights the value and future of Korean craft from multiple perspectives, focusing on three themes: "Excellence," "Transmission and Collaboration," and "Sustainability."

Part 1, which demonstrates the technical perfection and artistic sophistication of Korean craft, features works by first-generation contemporary ceramicist Kim Ik-Young, lacquerware artist Chung Haejo, textile artist Jang Yeonsoon, furniture artists Choi Byounghoon and Park Jongsun, and glass artist Kim Junyong, among others.

Kim Ik-Young, a ceramicist, has expanded the horizons of contemporary Korean ceramics through work that connects the tradition of Joseon white porcelain to the modern era. Chung Haejo, a craft artist, is recognized for pioneering new directions in contemporary Korean lacquer art; in 2021, one of his works was presented to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York during President Moon Jae-in and the First Lady's visit to the United Nations General Assembly, drawing significant attention.

Jang Yeonsoon was the first textile artist to be selected as "Artist of the Year" by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in 2008. Choi Byounghoon pioneered the "art furniture" field in Korea, blurring the boundaries between art and furniture. Park Jongsun has gained domestic and international attention for designing furniture featured in the film "Parasite." Kim Junyong, well-known for his flower-shaped glass works, received international acclaim, including an award at the Kanazawa International Craft Competition in Japan in 2025.

Part 2 focuses on the theme of transmission and collaboration in craft, highlighting the "connections" created by craft. Park Changyoung, a holder of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage for Gat-making (traditional Korean hats), and Park Hyungbak, a fifth-generation successor, are exhibiting "gat" hats, which have gained renewed attention thanks to the popularity of "K-Pop Demon Hunters." Their works demonstrate how traditional Korean techniques are culturally linked to contemporary content.

Lee Bongju, Lee Hyunggeun, and Lee Jiho, who are honorary holders of the traditional metalware craft and direct family members, showcase the inheritance of skills and craftsmanship passed down through three generations. Creative director Jung Kuho presents "Bandaji" (a traditional Korean chest), completed in collaboration with metal artisans, suggesting new expressive domains and collaborative possibilities in craft. Dahye Jung, the first Korean to win the Loewe Craft Prize in 2022, offers a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional horsehair craft, presenting works that harmonize past techniques with modern sensibilities.

The final section, Part 3, explores the direction of sustainable craft. Kang Geumseong presents a modern reinterpretation of "jogakbo" (traditional patchwork wrapping cloth), Park Sunmin revives waste glass bottles as upcycled products, and Jo Seongho creates jewelry from recycled materials. Their works suggest a future for craft where nature, humanity, and art coexist. Through resource circulation and creative regeneration, these pieces demonstrate how craft can evolve into an art that connects the environment and society, aligning with APEC's vision for a sustainable future.

Linked Exhibition at Gyeongju's "House of Choi"... Showcasing Ceramic Works Bridging Regions and Generations

During the same period, a linked exhibition titled "Symbiosis" will also be held at the local cultural space "House of Choi." Visitors can see works by notable contemporary ceramicists such as Yoon Kwangjo, who has led a new trend in modern buncheong ceramics in Gyeongju, as well as Lee Heonjeong and Yoo Uijeong. Various ceramic works installed throughout "House of Choi Yoseokgung 1779" present new aspects of contemporary ceramics within traditional spaces, under the theme of coexistence between local culture and art.

A policy official from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated, "This exhibition is a meaningful opportunity to introduce the beauty and philosophy of Korean craft to the world. We hope that the spirit of tradition, continued by the hands of master artisans, will develop into a future heritage," adding, "The Ministry will actively support efforts to ensure that craft becomes more deeply embedded in the daily lives of our people."