Dahye Jeong’s artistry redefines traditional craft, weaving the threads of heritage into modern masterpieces
Rooted in Tradition, Forged in Innovation
Dahye Jeong, a South Korean artisan recognized as a 2025 Maison&Objet Rising Talent, has captivated the design world with her extraordinary horsehair weaving. Drawing inspiration from Jeju Island’s cultural heritage, Jeong revitalizes an ancient technique typically reserved for small-scale, decorative applications. Her works, however, transcend these origins, evolving into sculptural designs reminiscent of traditional Korean ceramics. By blending meticulous handcrafting with bold conceptual vision, she bridges the past and the future, redefining the narrative of what craft can achieve.
Mastering Material and Process
Jeong’s creations are as much a meditation on patience as they are feats of artistry. Horsehair—delicate, tensile, and notoriously challenging to manipulate—becomes her canvas. At a pace of only two centimeters per day, she painstakingly weaves intricate forms that seem to defy the constraints of their material. The resulting objects, often minimalist in form, harness light and shadow to convey a quiet elegance that feels both ancient and strikingly contemporary.
One standout piece from her portfolio features a semi-transparent vessel, its woven contours mimicking the natural curves of hand-thrown pottery. It’s an homage to the timeless shapes of Korean ceramics, yet it achieves a wholly modern aesthetic through its unconventional medium.
A Cultural Conversation
Jeong’s work exemplifies a growing trend in design: the elevation of craft into the realm of fine art. By using horsehair—an evocative material tied to Korea’s cultural past—she reclaims its historical significance while reimagining its place in the 21st century. Her pieces provoke reflection on the relationships between tradition, materiality, and sustainability. In an industry increasingly enamored with rapid production, her dedication to slow, deliberate craftsmanship offers a compelling counterpoint.
The Future of Timeless Design
Dahye Jeong’s rise to prominence signals a broader shift in the global design community toward valuing process, heritage, and innovation in equal measure. Her work doesn’t just preserve a dying art—it transforms it into a language of contemporary design. As Jeong continues to push the boundaries of her medium, she is poised to become a defining voice in the next era of craftsmanship, weaving a legacy that is as enduring as it is revolutionary.
Image: © 2024 Dahye jeong
