Kuho Jung Korea, b. 1962

After studying communication design at Parsons School of Design in New York, Kuho Jung returned to Korea and launched his fashion brand, KUHO, based on the philosophy of Korean minimalism. He later joined Samsung’s fashion division as a creative director, managing over ten brands for ten years. Expanding his creativity into the film industry, he won several art director and best costume design awards. He is actively involved in performance art, directing and writing various works. In 2019, his curation of an exhibition on contemporary Korean crafts for Milan Design Week was recognized as one of the top ten exhibitions of the week. In 2022, he played a key role in renewing the Samsung Leeum Museum of Art and the Hoam Museum of Art, serving as an art director.

His Bandaji series explores the balance between the fading and the excessive. Traditional craftsmanship, despite its enduring artistry and technical mastery, is gradually losing its function and relevance. In contrast, modern objects are mass-produced and consumed at an unprecedented pace, often devoid of intrinsic value. Coexistence is an artistic exploration of these opposing forces, seeking a new equilibrium where the disappearing and the excessive converge.

By integrating transparent plexiglass with traditional metal ornaments, the reinterpretation of the Pyeongyang Bandaji (Korean chest) visually articulates the tension and harmony between absence and abundance. This work goes beyond mere aesthetic reinterpretation—it explores the intersections of tradition and modernity, emptiness and presence, proposing new possibilities for utility and meaning in contemporary design and art.

Kuho Jung has held multiple solo exhibitions, including the Bandaji series at Choeunsook Gallery in Seoul. His work explores the intersection of tradition and modernity, blending historical craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. He has also served as a creative director for major craft exhibitions and institutions such as the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art.

His influence extends to film and stage, where he has directed and designed costumes for acclaimed productions like Hwang Jin-yi and The Scent of Ink. Recognized for his contributions to fashion and design, he has received prestigious awards, including the Korea Fashion Awards Presidential Commendation. His artistic vision continues to shape Korea’s cultural landscape, bridging heritage with innovation across multiple disciplines.