Heehwa Jo

Embroiderer | London, United Kingdom

From Korea with love

Heehwa is inspired by ancient Korean artifacts in different fields
She has published a tutorial book on traditional Korean embroidery
To her, her homeland is not just a place, but a state of mind

The vision and aesthetic of Heehwa Jo are her personal loving tribute to Korean culture and traditional embroidery. Her fashion studies and training were instrumental in learning about textile art and introducing her to embroidery, focusing on the study of ancient Korean artifacts. Heehwa’s work is meticulous and delicate, drawing inspiration from the embroidery aimed at royal courts, well-balanced in design, refined in the use of twisted fine silk thread and goldwork. She takes pride in doing nowadays what ancestors did in the past. “What we call tradition today was not intended as such then, and what is now considered innovation will become tradition in the future,” she says. "Well-made artifacts speak for themselves as they are powerful and relatable," Heehwa adds.

Interview

©Giyoung Bang

Do you have a strong connection with artisans of the past?: I realised that textile art and embroidery were a little known aspect of Korean heritage and this puzzled me. It encouraged me to delve into it. This is how I fell in love with the work of masters, who inspired me with their spirit and attitude, their humour and carefreeness.
Why is it important to have a conversation between past and present in what you do?: It allows me to mix elements, physical or abstract, which complement each other. Physical includes drawing, structure, colour and techniques, which you can observe, while abstract relates to the symbolic meanings and the attitude towards the craft.
What is your approach to work?: It is hard for me to keep my hands idle. Being a professional embroiderer gives me the chance to express my feelings through my hands. I feel almost as though I have a mission to communicate and spread the word about our tradition, making it contemporary.
Is there an aspect of Korean art that resonates with you?: Past traditions are echoed into the present. Almost every Korean design, pattern, and even colour is a symbol and there are principles that dictate combinations of designs and colours. In this regard, traditional Korean art is to be read rather than seen.

Heehwa Jo is a master artisan: she began her career in 2016 and she started teaching in 2017