SAMCHEONJU Norigae | Sterling silver, amber, coral, jade, 14K Gold, diamonds 3x3x30cm 2021

Norigae is an ornament that adds delicate and elegant splendor to the round, graceful curves of the hanbok jeogori and skirt. Norigae had been widely worn by people regardless of their social classes. Even nowadays, norigae is often presented to daughter-in-law before marriage, norigae is less worn along with the decrease of wearing hanbok. Considering this circumstance, I focused on a flexible application to suit modern clothing, in contrast to my previous works that emphasized traditional aspects. All the norigaes exhibited here can blend in with traditional and modern clothing – it can be used as a necklace pendant. Norigae in the past symbolized external values such as social status and wealth. However, this work attempts to reinterpret norigae as a tool to express the individuality and self-consciousness of modern women.

Sowon Joo (1978~)

Metalsmith

Instagram: @sowonjoostudio

2000 BFA, Dept. of Craft Arts, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

2005 MFA, Metal/Jewelry design, RIT, Rochester, NY

Exhibition, Collection, Awards, Activities

2018 4th solo exhibition, Gallery Royal, Seoul(solo)

2010 From the Seed, Gallery Royal, Seoul(solo)

2009 2nd solo exhibition INSA art center, Seoul(solo)

2008 Sculpted from Nature, The Gallery at One Bausch & Lomb Place, Rochester, NY(solo)

2019 Artistar Jewels, Milan, Italy(group)

2018 SOFA Chicago, USA(group)