Kiri Side Table in Korean Paper and Resin
by Sangwoo Son · Seoul, South Korea

Sangwoo Son is a craft artist who visualizes the image of mist by combining traditional Korean hanji paper with synthetic resin. Although he initially specialized in woodworking through his studies in crafts and furniture design, he eventually began to explore hanji as he grappled with questions about the identity of his work and the limitations of his materials.Encountering thick morning mist during his travels, Son was reminded of his own emotions, shaped by uncertainties about the future and the complexities of human relationships. For him, mist became a vital metaphor for unseen boundaries, the interplay between presence and absence, and the lingering possibility of dialogue.Utilizing the texture and semi-transparency of hanji, Son blends it with synthetic resin to create objects and furniture that embody both solidity and fluidity. In this process, hanji captures traces of emotions—once unfamiliar and ambiguous—as if they have been solidified over time.Son’s work is not merely a reproduction of natural scenery; it is an exploration of emotional currents, relational dynamics, and inner landscapes. Through his craft, he translates the uncertainty and beauty of mist, along with the layered emotions it evokes, offering a quiet reflection on the emotional landscapes of contemporary life.His creations invite viewers to experience the flow of emotions and the complexity of relationships visually, presenting a new approach to exploring the inner world through the language of craft.