Mina Kang

Jewellery maker

Threads as jewels

Mina works with hand-sewn ramie fabric
She loves the design of hand sewn threads
Her work is her life

Ramie fabric is a material very familiar to artisan Mina Kang. She has used this traditional Korean fabric since childhood, and she feels deep stability and comfort through hand sewing with it. Sewing became a means of telling her story. She makes brooches and necklaces playing with the variables – the thickness, pattern and colour – of the thread. Mina Kang has experimented with three-dimensional structure with jogakbo – traditional Korean patchwork – and used it in conjunction with jewellery and metal craft. Through her impromptu and intuitive sewing, the colourful pieces of ramie fabric are organically connected and have three-dimensional structures, thanks to its stiffness and elasticity.

Interview

What were your thoughts in doing this work?: In my youth, I was interested in jewelry due to its beautiful and colorful shape. I decided to specialize in Jewelry crafts in college. The course of study and practice was harder than I expected. I realized that making is different from seeing.
Why did you choose this linen material?: Generally Mosi (ramie fabric) has the characteristic of various colour, soft texture and flexibility compared with those of metals. Whenever I make Mosi works, I am quite satisfied with that the various composition of shapes is possible, and the shape of linen works is not changed easily and lasts longer than other textiles due to the hardness of Mosi.
What are your skills?: There are no special skills that anyone can easily do it by putting more time and effort. Sewing records the stitches of my time and work, and it shows beauty and elegance. The repetition of ordinary daily life in sewing finishes beautifully.
What are your sources of inspiration?: The mixture series and classic series were inspired by traditional Korean-style houses and structures. Mosi is a Korean traditional material that shows Korea’s unique beauty and variety. I’m also inspired by Western-style structures and lines.

Mina Kang is a master artisan: she began her career in 2013 and she started teaching in 2018