About
Dahye Jeong comes from the furthest southern part of the Korean peninsula, Jeju Island. Her parents own a natural dye workshop with acres of land filled with many different plant species. In university, Dahye studied sculpture, then she moved away from home to continue her studies at the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage under the Cultural Heritage Administration. The move was a life-changing transition as her deep-rooted characteristics had to adapt to a new way of living.
Dahye has immersed herself in studying historical objects by visiting numerous museums around Korea. She practiced making the Joseon Dynasty men’s headwear under the mentorship of local craftspeople. In Korea, there are only few regions that practice the trait today – one in Tongyeong and the other in Jeju Island. Dahye’s personality is about finding sincerity within herself with the desire to remain honest and true as a human being. Such traits are strongly rooted in Confucian values.
The weaves and structures that Dahye creates for her see-through vessels root back to the men’s headwear of the Joseon Dynasty. There are several different weave patterns depending on the type of head piece. Korean men in the Joseon Dynasty were more elaborate than today and often such costumes were a way of identifying social status and government positions.
Horsehair as a material, that is both rare and special. For centuries it has been used in many different cultures for brushes, for instruments and more. This ancient material has been transformed into a unique craft object that is truly original. Dahye won the Grand Prize at the Cheongju International Craft Competition in 2021. In 2022, Dahye also won the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize, the decision was unanimous, and she has become a “cultural ambassador” for Korea contributing to the Korean Wave that we are currently experiencing globally.
Dahye Jeong’s work has a unique place in contemporary craft. Soluna Art Group is delighted to showcase Dahye Jeong’s work at Cromwell Place for the 2025 London Craft Week.
