Annual Korean craft show in Italy kicks off for the 12th year

The annual Korean craft show in Milan, Italy, will kick off its 12th event on Monday in light of the Milano Design Week, culture ministry announced Tuesday.

Pieces by tea house Goyeonsanbang in South Gyeongsang province [KOREA CRAFT & DESIGN FOUNDATION]

The 2024 Korean Craft Show in Milan, Italy, will kick off Monday in light of the Milano Design Week, the culture ministry announced Tuesday.

The show aims to promote Korean crafts overseas and is annually hosted and organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Craft & Design Foundation (KCDF).

Marking its 12th event this year, the show’s theme is “Thoughts on Thickness.”

Some 630 works by 25 artists and brands are slated to be on view, including pieces by lacquerer Park Gang-yong of Namwon Lacquered Art who is Intangible Cultural Property No. 13 in North Jeolla Province, award-winning wood craft artist Lyu Nam-gwon and ottichil (traditional natural lacquering) artist Huh Myoung-wook.

The show consists of two main exhibits. “In Variation, In Thickness” explores the depth of contemplation by Korean artists and “Sobak” encapsulates the aesthetics of simplicity in traditional Korean culture, alluding to the passage of time through tea, according to KCDF.

Piece by ottichil (traditional natural lacquering) artist Huh Myoung-wook [KOREA CRAFT & DESIGN FOUNDATION]

There will also be an outdoor space dubbed “Madang,” or courtyard in Korean, where visitors can experience Korean traditional tea and desserts, and seek consultation if any are interested in purchasing items.

"After examining the profound thoughts of artists who explored various materials and techniques, we designed the show to awaken a sense of reality through everyday tools," Choi Joo-yeon, artistic director for the 2024 show, said. "I hope that we can view the three-dimensional aspect of Korean crafts, which have expanded into being both tools for use and thought."

Pieces by lacquerer Park Gang-yong of Namwon Lacquered Art who is Intangible Cultural Property No. 13 in North Jeolla Province [KOREA CRAFT & DESIGN FOUNDATION]

More Korean crafts shows — in France and the United Arab Emirates — are scheduled to open this year. Korean Craft Showcase will be held during Paris Design Week and a permanent Korean craft exhibition will be installed inside an upcoming Korean cultural center in Dubai.

The government said it will provide artists up to 50 million won ($37,000) in participating fees. It also plans to offer consultations for those looking to expand abroad and export their work.

“We look forward to introducing Korea’s talented artists and works at Milan Design Week, the world’s largest craft show, and spreading the charm of Korean crafts not only to Italy but also to the world,” Culture Ministry's Vice Minister Jeon Byung-geuk said. “We hope to promote K-culture globally, and as its influence expands, we will spare no effort in policy support so that Korean crafts, which embody Korea’s cultural identity, can be spotlighted."

The Korean Craft Show runs through April 21 at Galleria Rossana Orlandi. More details about the show and its pieces are available on kcdfmilan.kr/

BY LEE JIAN [lee.jian@joongang.co.kr]