Jungin Lee

Jungin Lee (b.1985, South Korea) is an artist based in Seoul and Paju, working across furniture, sculpture, and material research. Her practice brings together natural materials and experimental processes, led by a hands-on approach and a deep interest in narrative.

 

She studied woodworking and furniture design at Hongik University in Seoul, then completed an MA in Design Products at the Royal College of Art in London. There, she began to develop a process- oriented way of working, grounded in the physical properties of materials.

 

In recent years, her work has focused on hanji (traditional Korean mulberry paper) which she transforms into structurally sturdy furniture by layering over 100 sheets with flour paste. This method, which produces no waste, reflects her interest in sustainability and her belief in coexistence over consumption. She describes hanji as soft and flexible when wet, yet remarkably strong when dry. It shows the same qualities she values through her practice, which are the resilience and inherent qualities of natural materials.

 

Her furniture and sculptural pieces have been exhibited internationally across Europe and Asia, including shows in Italy and France. Her work is part of the permanent collection at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, and she was selected as a finalist for the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize in 2025.

 

Motivated by both environmental concerns and the experience of motherhood, Jungin Lee continues to explore the creative and philosophical potential of hanji, shaping a quiet yet resonant vision for contemporary craft.