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Junsu Kim

  • Leatherworker
  • Gyeonggi-Do, South Korea
  • Rising Star
Junsu Kim Leatherworker
©KC Studio

Leather vessels crafted creatively

  • • Junsu makes vessels from leather strips
  • • He uses an experimental cross sections coiling method
  • • His approach to leather is a combination of creativity and craftsmanship

Junsu Kim originally studied metal work at university and graduate school, but became interested in the performance of leather. He took part in a leather workshop in Italy and has been working as a leather craftsman since graduation. After lots of research on how to craft with leather and transform it to make it look more interesting, he was able to present leather in a novel way. With this innovative approach Junsu has become a craftsman in his own field. His inspiration comes from what he observes: colours, structures and textures from plants in his atelier, or landscapes in new places. Junsu says, "The joy and sense of accomplishment from having made something with my own hands naturally led me to continue with this craft."

Read the full interview

Works

  • ©KC Studio
  • ©KC Studio
  • ©KC Studio
  • ©KC Studio
  • ©KC Studio
Photo: ©KC Studio
Sense of Forest

This is a vessel-shaped object made by stacking different colours and thicknesses of leather lines. Only hand moulding and the elasticity of the leather created the shape. The result has a texture similar to tree rings.

Photo: ©KC Studio
ALBO

The ALBO series was inspired by a plant called Albo Monstera characterised by contrasting patterns caused by a mutation in photosynthesis. The same method as the Sense of Forest series is applied, but the colour contrast of leather is more pronounced here.

Photo: ©KC Studio
ALBO

This vessel is from the series called ALBO, inspired by a plant called Albo Monstera which is characterised by contrasting patterns caused by a mutation in photosynthesis. The characteristic of this ALBO piece is that the pattern stands out because of leathers with strong colour contrast.

Photo: ©KC Studio
Slice of Life

The Slice of Life series is finished with lacquer on the exterior. The technique of coiling leather straps creates a pattern resembling tree rings. Over time, the interior surface gradually darkens with tanning and the exterior lacquered surface becomes gradually lighter.

Photo: ©KC Studio
ALBO

Here is another vessel from the ALBO series inspired by a plant called Albo Monstera. Light contrasting coloured leathers were used and the coiling technique was applied. Patterns similar to tree rings appear subtly.

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