로에베 파이널리스트에 오른 5명의 한국 공예작가들... 세계로 뻗어나가는 K-craft<br /><br />K-pop and K-drama have been gaining popularity around the world in recent years. Now it's the turn of K-craft... as several Korean craft makers have been shortlisted for a globally-renowned award. Our Kim Bo-kyoung reports.<br />Craftwork is the latest Korean cultural export to get global attention.<br />The Loewe Foundation hands out an annual prize to award "excellence and innovation in modern craftsmanship."<br />From around three-thousand entries from around the world, just 30 finalists were selected... and five of them were from South Korea.<br />The Financial Times newspaper took interest in this and shed light on what it called the "international march of Korean craft makers."<br />One of finalists - Cho Sungho says being selected as one of the final thirty means a lot to him... as the Loewe craft prize is the most renowned handicraft competition in the world.<br />This year was Cho's first time to submit his piece,... and he came up with an innovative idea.<br />"Objects made by casting metal,... they are usually thick and heavy like bells. I've long been very interested in casting and I wanted to make it thin. I made a thin panel-wax with soft wax and an engraved pattern on that."<br />Cho's series of exquisite, airy vessels with intricate patterns etched on the surface demonstrate new possibilities in casting metal.<br />He believes the reason behind the global attention towards Korean craft makers is mainly because of their superior technique, along with positive influence of other sectors such as K-pop.<br />"Koreans are very dexterous and have impressive workmanship. I also believe the interest in K-pop has expanded to craft which was not well-known compared to works from Japan and China."<br />Another finalist Kim Kyeok's work is a web-like sculpture delicately crocheted by copper wire and finished with gold leaf.<br />She says the world has steadily been paying attention to Korea's craft,... and now it is reaching its peak.<br />"The Loewe Foundation is from Spain,... and I heard lots of exhibitions introducing Korean traditional craft are being held these days. I was able to feel how our craft is being recognized in Europe and the US."<br />Such work requires delicate skill and craftsmanship,... and South Korean craft makers with both are pushing back the frontiers of Korean culture.<br />Kim Bo-kyoung, Arirang News.<br />
