In the realm of traditional Korean crafts, there exists an ancient art form that involves the intricate inlay of mother-of-pearl. Known for its breathtaking detail and shimmering beauty, this craft demands precision, patience, and an artistic vision.
Najeon (mother-of-pearl) chilgi (lacquerware) has been used in Korean traditional craft for more than 1,000 years. In Korea, mother-of-pearl is commonly used to create inlays for lacquered furniture and decorative objects.
https://www.kh.or.kr/brd/board/684/L/CATEGORY/688/menu/293brdType=R&thisPage=1&bbIdx=45&searchField=&searchText=
One artist - Kim Youngjun - stands at the top of this field.
Kim had always been fascinated with the arts. His teachers even encouraged him to pursue it as a career. But when his family threw away their antiquated mother-of-pearl cabinet, felt the loss of something valuable and decided to pursue this career.
“I wondered why this precious mother-of-pearl piece had to be thrown away.” (link)
https://www.jungle.co.kr/magazine/205648
That was the start of his career: he studied design and art in LA, Japan, and Korea. Though he experienced many failures, his determination and mindset has persisted. Working up to 20 hours a day, Kim went through trials and tribulations, his satisfaction after completing a piece makes the journey worthwhile.
What makes Kim Youngjun stand out is that, although he wants to revive old traditions like many other artists, he combines contemporary elements to create a new twist into his pieces. Instead of the customary black against the shimmery pearl, he uses bright, abstract colors that match the modern apartments in Korea. Even more interesting, instead of sticking to the regular cabinets, he inlaid mother-of-pearls into Xbox consoles, iPhone cases, and even a chair for Pope Francis!
https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20150316000860
Kim has revolutionized how najeon chilgi is perceived but is still perfecting his craft, which aligns with his belief that we learn something new every day. He looks for collaborators to work with and works hard to teach his students, whom he thinks can one day surpass him and introduce najeon chilgi to even more people.
Check out more of his works below:
