New creations born from ancient wisdom
Artist Lee Kang-ho weaves colorful climbing ropes, electrical wires, and nylon ropes to freely create anything from small, delicate objects to dynamic installations using his hands.While rooted in traditional craftsmanship such as artisanal handiwork and a sense of craft, he also uses industrial and mass-produced products to create very contemporary works.
Born in Guri City, a rural area of Gyeonggi Province not far from Seoul, his memories that form the foundation of his craftsmanship are those of his grandparents, who were farmers.
"In the past, it was commonplace for people to create tools using things they found around them. For example, they would weave straw to make baskets, or carve wood to make plows and hoes used for farming. So, I think the idea that you can just make toys or anything you want was cultivated back then."
Wanting to continue creating things with his hands, he went on to study art at an art university. He chose metalwork. The reason he chose metal was a rather amusing one: he wanted to make accessories for someone he loved. He learned techniques such as welding, engraving, and sheet metal, broadening the scope of his creativity, but in the end he submitted a work in his graduation project using knitting, which he loved the most. He says that his professors didn't like his style, but it was during his time at university that his current style of creating any shape he wanted with his hands and scissors was born.
His two most well-known series are "Obsession," which is made mainly from braided rope, and "skin," a series of objects and furniture made from copper plates covered with enamel and lacquer. In addition, he creates design work using a wide variety of materials, including wood, stone, and furniture made from felt. All of the pieces in the "Obsession" series are handmade in his studio with two staff members, but he often works in collaboration with factories and manufacturers.
They have two studios in Seoul. In the Seongsu studio, where they mainly do knitting, two staff members work silently. 
The ends of the climbing ropes are heated with a burner and glued together. The shape is often determined by moving the hands. 
Kim Moon-sik, president of Pugwang Argon, a metal welding company with which we have been working together for about 15 years. 
Woo Ki-nam is the president of Woojin Cheong Mill, a machine tool manufacturer in Euljiro, which he has been running for about 30 years.
Full of craftsmen! Visit the small factories of Euljiro 3-ga
I asked him to recommend some places in Seoul that he'd like to show me. He took me to a small factory in Euljiro 3-ga, a place he'd been working with for many years. This area is currently undergoing a wave of development. The first factory we visited, specializing in metal welding, had apparently been operating there for 40 years, but was closing down this year.
"Ever since my student days, whenever I wanted to make something, I would consult with older men working in factories. My neighborhood is full of small factories, so they would introduce me to someone they could talk to. They have incredible skills and wisdom, and just talking to them gives me new ideas. Thanks to them, the range of my work has expanded. Seoul is a city with a jumble of old and new, and its chaotic atmosphere has always been its charm, but recent urban developments have wiped out the old parts. It's such a shame. I would be happy if people could turn their attention to these good old parts of Seoul."
