Kenny (Yong-soo) Son

Circular Ibsa Vessel (No.2) 2023
Cast iron and 999 silver

Artist statement: 

The Circular Ibsa Vessel is both a utilitarian and a sculptural object that explore the ideas of transmitting a type of beauty that is subtle, soft but long-lasting. A type of beauty that adds to the idea of harmony amongst the surrounding space, objects, and humans. A type of beauty that encompasses the right amount of balance in simplicity and complexity, producing notions of tranquil longevity.

This work particularly explores the traditional Korean Inlay technique, Ibsa. Ibsa is a technique that I especially found to be fascinating during my mentorship back in 2013-14, with Korean Designated Metal Craft Master, Sung Joon Cho.

The technique Ibsa or sometimes called Pomok Sanggam, involves using a chisel and chasing hammer to create narrowly spaced indentations across the surface of the object in numerous different directions. As a result, the surface illustrates a texture somewhat like woven or intertwined fabric. Onto this surface, precious sheet, or thread material (0.2 0.18mm thickness) can be inlaid into the indentations created by thousands of chisel marks. An Ibsa knife tool is used to cut the wire to a desired shape, size, and length, and using a hammer, the artwork is inlaid onto the surface.