Radiating Motherhood



Dundee Design Festival 2024

Metal structure: crafted from scrap steel, Light shade: 3D printed with recycled plastics and LED lighting
2024
This sculptural lighting series was inspired by the Norigae, a traditional Korean tassel charm characterised by intricate knots and ornamental designs. Traditionally incorporating elements from nature, such as flowers, animals, and coral, Norigae is a significant part of Hanbok, the iconic Korean attire. Passed down from mothers to daughters, it served as a symbol of protection and a token of motherhood, embodying an unspoken yet profound female voice within Korean history and culture—a theme I previously explored in my artwork ‘Four Seasons.’

In this series, I incorporated lighting into my sculptural work to evoke the eternal warmth of motherhood while engaging in a deeper dialogue about the boundaries between art and design.

I aimed to integrate Norigae—a recurring motif in my practice—into Wobbly Digital’s design work through the concept of 'accidentally functional art.’ This project marked my first exploration of lighting, challenging the distinction between fine art and design: Was it a light? A sculpture? Or perhaps both?

Each piece in this series featured a sculptural body inspired by the visual aesthetics of knots, brought to life through 3D printing with translucent, recycled plastics. Embedded LED lights illuminates the structure, highlighting its delicate silhouette and intricate surface details. By introducing lighting, I expanded the sensory and atmospheric dimensions of my practice, transforming each piece into a dynamic, multi-layered experience.


Yellow: 55 x 60 x 15 (cm)

Blue: 20 x 60 x 55 (cm)
PROCESS, Group exhibition at Dundee Design Festival 2024
More photos coming up...