Fine lines of chaos and order
- Jung creates intricate hand embroidery pieces that examine the world around us
- She is inspired by her environment, beautiful scenery and photographs
- An appliqué piece of hers was published in the Made in Britain magazine in 2018
Jung Byun stitches the intricacies of the world around us through her hand embroidery. "As a teenager, I used to help my sister with her embroidery homework. Little did I know that it would become the craft I practise today," she says. Having grown up in Korea before moving to the UK in her twenties, Jung draws on her experience to paint varied perspectives of the world into textile form. Her talent led to a first class honours degree in clothing and textiles, and several years as a fashion trend forecaster, fashion reporter and organic clothing trader. Jung's embroidery pieces have been exhibited in shows, such as RSN’s Animals in Embroidery, and Knitting & Stitching. Since 2018, she has passed on her skills as a hand embroidery teacher.
Interview
- Is your work's inspiration linked to a specific place?
- Growing up in Korea and moving to the UK allowed me to examine my identity and role in society, as well as the kind of woman I wanted to be. At first, the feeling of not belonging to any culture was isolating. Over time, this helped me see everyday objects from different perspectives.
- Which techniques do you enjoy the most?
- I enjoy silk shading, as it requires a fine balance of chaos and order. It allows me to portray a whole spectrum of textures, from the fluffiness of animal fur through messy stitching, to the smoothness of skin through tidy, regular stitches.
- What do people not know about your work?
- Hand embroidery requires more time than people realise. It demands precise work, as misplacing one stitch can change my whole piece. Completing even the smallest artworks can easily surpass 200 hours!
- What is a memorable moment in your professional life?
- One meaningful moment was receiving the Hand & Lock Prize. I applied on a whim while studying. I had been having doubts, due to commuting four hours a day and needing to support my family through a difficult time, so it meant a lot to me.
Jung Byun is a rising star: she began her career in 2016 and she started teaching in 2018
Where
Jung Byun
