YÉOL Artisan of the Year
I photographed the YÉOL Artisan of the Year project, which focused on the work of master craftsman Kim Soo-Youngand designer Gio Kisang. Together, they received the YÉOL Artisan of the Year award for their collaboration on Yugi bronze tableware. The project looks at how traditional Korean craft can exist in a contemporary context. At its center is Yugi bronze tableware, an intangible cultural heritage of Korea.
Understanding Yugi Bronze
Yugi, also known as Bangjja, is a traditional form of bronze tableware. It contains a high amount of tin, which makes it durable and suitable for food use. In the past, Korean nobility used Yugi regularly. Over time, however, the material fell out of daily use. Its weight and size made it less practical for modern kitchens. Even so, the craft itself continues through a small number of dedicated artisans.
Photographing the YÉOL Project
Based in Seoul, I documented the YÉOL project through both photography and film. For the photographs, I chose a studio setting. This allowed me to focus on form, surface, and proportion without distraction. In contrast, the film Memories of an Artisan follows the making of the tableware. Together, the two approaches offer different ways of seeing the same craft.
Studio Photography
In the studio, I photographed the Yugi pieces against a clean white background. This choice kept the focus on material and shape. At the same time, it highlighted the balance between weight and refinement. Each image stays simple. Rather than styling the objects heavily, I let light and texture define them.
Film as a Parallel Work
Alongside the photographs, I directed the short film Memories of an Artisan. The film moves away from the studio and into the workshop. There, it observes the forging process during the Korean winter. Fire, metal, ice, and snow shape the rhythm of the film. As a result, it shows the physical effort behind each finished object.
The Role of the YÉOL Foundation
The YÉOL Foundation has supported traditional craftsmanship since 2002. Through programs such as the Artisan of the Year award, it helps keep long-standing practices alive. Kim Soo-Young, who works in Anseong City, has forged Yugi bronze tableware for more than forty years. His work reflects a commitment to skill, repetition, and patience.
Working Across Photography and Film
This project allowed me to move between photography and filmmaking. Each medium served a different purpose. The photographs isolate the finished objects. The film, on the other hand, follows the process behind them. Together, they form a quiet record of a craft that continues to adapt while staying rooted in tradition.
Closing Thoughts
The YÉOL Artisan of the Year project offered a chance to document Korean craftsmanship with care and restraint. Through photography and film, the work focuses on material, time, and collaboration. For me, it was less about presenting an object and more about observing how tradition continues through people, process, and shared effort.
