Who are you and what do you do?
I have been focusing on a series of sculptural vessels as a metaphor for personal, family and cultural memories as a Korean-born textile installation artist. These sculptural vessels are created out of diaphanous textiles, using a design originally inspired by Bojagi, one of the traditional Korean art forms. My work has been exhibited in solo shows nationally and internationally, including the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minneapolis, MN, Conrad Wilde Gallery, Tucson, AZ, Nord Gallery, San Antonio, TX, Galerie sei-un-do, Zurich, Switzerland, Montreal Center for Contemporary Textiles, Montreal, Canada, and Barabas Villa Gallery, Budapest, Hungary. My textile work was published in Textiles: The Art of Mankind by Mary Schoeser Thames & Hudson, 2012 and I received the McKnight Fellowships for Fiber Artists in 2020.
Where did your business name come from? Is there an interesting story behind it?
As a Korea-boran artist, I launched a design company, Muee to create design products inspired by traditional Korean arts and crafts. Munee is a Korean word for pattern. It is my hope to contribute the diversity of my Korean heritage to local communities and beyond.
What motivates you to create?
I aim to develop and introduce home design products inspired by traditional Korean arts and crafts, but with a modern twist. I also like to promote the value of handicraft work in the era of mass production in factories. My long-term vision is to establish a platform that promotes Korean arts and culture by sharing various educational and informational resources. Therefore, those who purchase Munee’s products can have deep insight into the rich traditions and cultures of Korea
What do your customers love most about your product(s)?
Munee customers love a canvas bag with a twin crane pattern. This design is inspired by the insignia of officials' uniform during the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910) in Korea. Royal robes and officials’ uniforms show highly refined craftsmanship and textile techniques. The insignia is a good example. The insignia refers to a decorative badge that was attached to the chest and back of robes and uniforms to identify the wearer’s status.
What are some inspirations for your work?
The set of coasters was inspired by a Korean rice cake stamp pattern. Rice cake molds or stamps made of wood or ceramic are used to create decorative patterns on rice cakes. Incised with motifs ranging from geometric and floral patterns to characters, the molds are pressed on the cake with long rectangular handles. These geometric, flora patterns are transferred on the Munee wooden coasters.
www.mu-nee.com
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