![[Ultra-Fine Korean Craft] What is "Horsehair Weaving" by Korean Artist Dahye Jeong? A Comprehensive Guide to Techniques, Masterpieces, and the Beauty of Light and Time](https://en.kogei-japonica.com/media/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/b8aa5c63e475e-1536x1024.webp "[Ultra-Fine Korean Craft] What is “Horsehair Weaving” by Korean Artist Dahye Jeong? A Comprehensive Guide to Techniques, Masterpieces, and the Beauty of Light and Time")
# [Ultra-Fine Korean Craft] What is “Horsehair Weaving” by Korean Artist Dahye Jeong? A Comprehensive Guide to Techniques, Masterpieces, and the Beauty of Light and Time
Horsehair weaving, experiencing renewed appreciation in Korea, is a rare technique that manipulates individual horsehairs to construct translucent three-dimensional forms. Known as horsehair craft or horsehair weaving, it has attracted attention from collectors worldwide.
By maximizing the material’s inherent characteristics and systematically organizing processes such as weaving, bundling, and layering, this technique has gained recognition through international awards and presentations at major galleries.
This article provides a comprehensive explanation from a specialized perspective, covering the technique’s internal structure, the sculptural logic of representative works, the visual effects created by light and shadow, and even the “layers of time” embedded in the creative process.
It serves as a frontline resource for bridging traditional materials with contemporary design.
Table of Contents
What is Horsehair Craft and Horsehair Weaving? Ultra-Fine Contemporary Craft from Korea
Horsehair weaving is an extremely delicate and highly distinctive contemporary craft expression reinterpreted by young Korean artist Dahye Jeong. While horsehair wickerwork traditionally existed on the Korean Peninsula as utilitarian items, Jeong has elevated this technique to “contemporary art structures,” earning international acclaim.
Works created by continuously weaving a single horsehair visualize the material quality, stress, and time invested, attracting attention as a new field that transcends craft, design, and art. This chapter systematically explains the artist’s background, the definition of the technique, and the elements that have led to global recognition.
Contemporary Craft Artist Dahye Jeong: Bridging Korean Traditional Craft and Modern Design
![[Ultra-Fine Korean Craft] What is Horsehair Weaving (Dahye Jeong)? A Comprehensive Guide to Techniques, Masterpieces, and the Beauty of Light and Time](https://kogei-japonica.com/media/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Dahye-Jeong.webp)
Dahye Jeong has established an international presence as an artist who merges Korean traditional craft with contemporary design and art perspectives. She focused on horsehair crafting techniques once used for everyday items in Korea, characterized by her approach to reconstructing this fading material culture in a modern context.
Horsehair is extremely fine, requiring an understanding of characteristics such as tension, durability, and natural curl. Handling this material demands highly skilled handwork and prolonged concentration. While researching traditional weaving structures, Jeong applies them to contemporary forms and scales, creating semi-transparent structures that transmit light and highly spatial three-dimensional works.
This approach balances respect for materials with futuristic forms, earning high praise as a bridge between traditional craft and contemporary design.
In 2022, she won the Grand Prize at the 5th LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize with her work “A time of sincerity.”
Defining Horsehair Weaving and Its Uniqueness: Ultra-Fine Craft Born from a Single Horsehair
Horsehair weaving is an extremely rare craft technique that involves continuously weaving horsehair with a needle to form three-dimensional structures. Horsehair has a thickness slightly greater than human hair (approximately 100-150μm) and can break with the slightest force differential, requiring advanced skills to weave with uniform tension.
In Jeong’s works, the uniqueness lies in elevating traditional mesh structures into geometric structural beauty incorporating curves, spheres, and polyhedrons. As light passes through, shadow patterns emerge, and the works themselves function as “fine structures floating in space,” a significant characteristic.
Additionally, the subtle tonal variations inherent in horsehair as a natural material add depth to the works, allowing viewers to perceive the “layers of time” where the material and the weaver’s labor overlap. In this way, horsehair weaving represents a globally rare craft expression that succeeds by pushing the limits of the material and the precision of the technique.
Why It Attracts Global Attention: Overwhelming Delicacy and the “Sculpting of Time”
The international recognition of Dahye Jeong’s horsehair weaving stems from the fact that her works embody an “overwhelming sense of temporality.” The process of hand-weaving hundreds to thousands of horsehairs without breaking or cutting them requires maintaining consistent breathing, rhythm, and tension, establishing itself through the “accumulation of repetition and concentration” rather than merely days of work.
The intricacy of the works directly narrates the accumulated time, naturally prompting viewers to consider “how much time supports this form.” This “visualization of time” possesses distinctive character within contemporary craft, instilling in the works a physicality and emotionality different from digital mass production.
Furthermore, the delicate structural beauty created by horsehair’s semi-transparency generating shadow patterns and changing expressions depending on light angles is highly compatible with international exhibitions due to its photogenic and video-friendly nature.
Overlapping with the context of Korean contemporary design and earning praise for realizing futuristic forms using traditional materials, continued interest has grown from major design awards and international galleries.
The Internal Structure of the Technique: Conditions for Establishing the “Transparent Weaving” Created by Horsehair
The forms created through horsehair weaving are not established simply by weaving fine materials but are supported by advanced processes that integrate an understanding of horsehair’s unique material properties and complex techniques including weaving, tying, and tensioning.
While horsehair is fine, it possesses high strength, and forms collapse with slight tension differences, making keen observation to understand the material’s characteristics and bodily awareness to maintain uniform force essential. Furthermore, to create three-dimensional structures, “tension distribution”—determining where to tighten or loosen the weave—determines the stability of the form.
Below, we carefully dissect three internal structures—material characteristics, weaving techniques, and form formation—explaining the conditions under which horsehair weaving establishes itself as “transparent structural beauty.”
Horsehair as a Material: Analysis of Thickness, Elasticity, Oil Content, and Durability Characteristics
Horsehair is an extremely fine yet special material possessing high elasticity and certain strength. Thickness varies greatly among individuals, being similar to human hair in fineness, with each strand having a slightly “shape memory” curl, requiring curl removal and direction confirmation before weaving.
Horsehair contains natural oils, which create slipperiness and durability, while humidity changes alter oil surface behavior, making humidity control in the working environment important. Additionally, because elasticity is strong, applying excessive force causes rebound, leading to weave distortion or material breakage.
While durability is high, being a fine material makes it vulnerable to friction, requiring careful selection of weaving tools and control of finger pressure. Without understanding these unique properties of horsehair, establishing a well-balanced “transparent weaving structure” is impossible. Understanding material characteristics can be said to be the first prerequisite supporting the theory of horsehair weaving forms.
Weaving Techniques: The Complex Process of Tying, Bundling, Layering, and Tensioning
Horsehair weaving techniques are constructed not through a single weaving method but by combining multiple actions: “tying,” “bundling,” “layering,” and “tensioning.” First, the foundation is “tying,” where each horsehair precisely intersects to prevent displacement.
Next, in “bundling,” multiple horsehairs are softly gathered to form the foundation of three-dimensional structures. In the “layering” process, layers are added to existing weaving structures, adjusting the density through which light passes and the shade gradation. Then “tensioning” is a crucial operation that subtly varies horsehair tension to create roundness and curves.
These processes are carried out continuously, requiring immediate micro-adjustments by hand to balance the three-dimensional form while correcting distortions invisible immediately after weaving. Due to horsehair’s fineness, “force control below the millimeter scale” not required in ordinary weaving is demanded, with the artist’s bodily awareness and concentration determining the work’s precision.
The Logic of Form Formation: Managing Tension, Three-Dimensionalization, and Maintaining Balance
Three-dimensional formation in horsehair weaving centers on managing tension (stress). If the tension of each strand is not uniform, the three-dimensional form distorts or the weave collapses, so the artist constantly makes fine adjustments while aware of the overall balance.
When forming spheres or polyhedrons, tension distribution from center to exterior is designed, creating curves through the “pulling method” of horsehair. Additionally, to maintain three-dimensional structures, controlling the relationship between outer circumference weave density and internal tension is necessary to establish hollow structures that possess strength.
As a method for maintaining balance, partial distortions are micro-adjusted with fingertips, even checking shadow distortions when illuminated. In other words, “comprehensive form control” where vision, touch, and force application work together determines the completeness of horsehair weaving. Understanding this logic reveals that horsehair weaving establishes itself as a unique three-dimensional construction technique, neither textile nor knitting.
The World of Works and Sculptural Aesthetics
Dahye Jeong’s horsehair weaving works are supported by high compositional ability that establishes diverse forms such as jar shapes, basket shapes, and objects while premised on material extreme fineness. Horsehair’s characteristic semi-transparency creates completely different expressions through light transmission, shadow overlap, and weave density, functioning as “forms completed by light.”
Additionally, the repetitive work of hand-weaving each horsehair while exploring material strength and limits inscribes “layers of time” into the works, strongly making viewers conscious of the relationship between material and labor. Here, we three-dimensionally interpret the sculptural aesthetics unique to horsehair weaving, centered on form analysis of representative works, visual effects mediated by light, and the spirituality embedded in the creative process.
Compositional Power Seen in Representative Works: Examination of Jar, Basket, and Object Forms
In Jeong’s representative works, diverse forms such as jar shapes, basket shapes, and abstract objects are used, but at their foundation exists meticulous design that establishes “lightweight yet well-balanced hollow structures.” In jar forms, tension distribution skillfully changes from rim to body to base, evoking traditional pottery forms while transforming into structures with a floating quality through weave density.
Basket form works can be said to be reinterpretations of traditional Joseon Dynasty hat-making techniques, balancing strength with lightness while featuring soft curves that embrace air toward the interior. Object works explore the “limit values of horsehair” through geometric structures (triangles, squares, circles, etc.) and spherical forms, making the process of forms naturally converging into sculptural beauty itself.
Common to these works is high compositional ability that consistently establishes formal logic while exploiting material characteristics, and the point that horsehair weaving reaches sculptural territory while being craft.
Relationship with Light: Visual Effects Through Transmission, Shadow, and Overlap
The element that most dramatically transforms the appeal of horsehair weaving works is “light.” Because horsehair is semi-transparent, the work’s contours, shadows, and internal structures change greatly depending on the angle and strength of light passing through.
When light is applied from the front, weave patterns uniformly emerge, making geometric patterns clear, but with oblique light from the side, shadows overlap, creating three-dimensional depth where many layers appear visible. Additionally, under natural light, slight tonal differences in horsehair appear to seep through, and works take on softness as if quietly breathing.
Shadow functions as “another form” of the work, creating new expressions as patterns reflected on floors and walls interact with the works. This relationship with light strongly appeals in photographs and videos, being one reason horsehair weaving receives high evaluation in international exhibitions. The idea that light completes the work can be said to symbolize Jeong’s sculptural philosophy.
Interpretation of Works as “Layers of Time”: Spirituality Created by Repetitive Work
The production process of horsehair weaving is extremely time-intensive, with the accumulation of that repetition forming the work’s spirituality. To continuously weave a single horsehair without breaking or cutting requires maintaining consistent breathing, consistent rhythm, and consistent tension, and this repetition creates a meditative state of concentration.
The work’s intricacy is the accumulation of time itself, and viewers naturally hold the question “how much time supports this form.” This “visualization of time” possesses distinctive character within contemporary craft, instilling in works a physicality and emotionality different from digitally generated objects.
Additionally, slight distortions and fluctuations born from repetition create unique rhythms as if the artist’s breathing itself became form, highlighting the “vitality of human handwork” unreachable by mechanical precision. This accumulation of spirituality establishes horsehair weaving works not merely as sculptural objects but as “existences embracing time.”
Dahye Jeong’s World of Works and Sculptural Aesthetics
Dahye Jeong’s horsehair weaving works are supported by high compositional ability that establishes diverse forms such as jar shapes, basket shapes, and objects while premised on material extreme fineness. Horsehair’s characteristic semi-transparency creates completely different expressions through light transmission, shadow overlap, and weave density, functioning as “forms completed by light.”
Additionally, the repetitive work of hand-weaving each horsehair while exploring material strength and limits inscribes “layers of time” into the works, strongly making viewers conscious of the relationship between material and labor. Here, we three-dimensionally interpret the sculptural aesthetics unique to horsehair weaving, centered on form analysis of representative works, visual effects mediated by light, and the spirituality embedded in the creative process.
Compositional Power Seen in Representative Works: Examination of Jar, Basket, and Object Forms
In Jeong’s representative works, diverse forms such as jar shapes, basket shapes, and abstract objects are used, but at their foundation exists meticulous design that establishes “lightweight yet well-balanced hollow structures.” In jar forms, while utilizing horsehair’s elasticity, tension distribution skillfully changes from rim to body to base, evoking traditional ancient pottery forms while transforming into structures with a floating quality through weave density.
Basket form works can be said to be reinterpretations of Joseon Dynasty hat-making techniques, balancing strength with lightness while featuring soft curves that embrace air toward the interior. Object works explore the “limit values of horsehair” through geometric structures (triangles, squares, circles, etc.) and spherical forms, making the process of forms naturally converging into sculptural beauty itself.
Common to these works is high compositional ability that consistently establishes formal logic while exploiting material characteristics, and the point that horsehair weaving reaches sculptural territory while being craft.
Relationship with Light: Visual Effects Through Transmission, Shadow, and Overlap
The element that most dramatically transforms the appeal of horsehair weaving works is “light.” Because horsehair is semi-transparent, the work’s contours, shadows, and internal structures change greatly depending on the angle and strength of light passing through. When light is applied from the front, weave patterns uniformly emerge, making geometric patterns clear, but with oblique light from the side, shadows overlap, creating three-dimensional depth where many layers appear visible.
Additionally, under natural light, slight tonal differences in horsehair appear to seep through, and works take on softness as if quietly breathing. Shadow functions as “another form” of the work, creating new expressions as patterns reflected on floors and walls interact with the works.
This relationship with light strongly appeals in photographs and videos, being one reason horsehair weaving receives high evaluation in international exhibitions. The idea that light completes the work can be said to symbolize Jeong’s sculptural philosophy.
Interpretation of Works as “Layers of Time”: Spirituality Created by Repetitive Work
The production process of horsehair weaving is extremely time-intensive, with the accumulation of that repetition forming the work’s spirituality. To continuously weave a single horsehair without breaking or cutting requires maintaining consistent breathing, consistent rhythm, and consistent tension, and this repetition creates a meditative state of concentration.
The work’s intricacy is the accumulation of time itself, and viewers naturally hold the question “how much time supports this form.” This “visualization of time” possesses distinctive character within contemporary craft, instilling in works a physicality and emotionality different from digitally generated objects.
Additionally, slight distortions and fluctuations born from repetition create unique rhythms as if the artist’s breathing itself became form, highlighting the “vitality of human handwork” unreachable by mechanical precision. This accumulation of spirituality establishes horsehair weaving works not merely as sculptural objects but as “existences embracing time.”
Summary
Horsehair weaving is highly distinctive contemporary craft that precisely interprets the characteristics of horsehair as material while using complex techniques including tying, bundling, and tensioning to weave up structures. Dahye Jeong has gained international recognition by reinterpreting traditional techniques while developing into three-dimensional structures and geometric forms that incorporate light and shadow, pioneering new craft territory.
Works embody “layers of time” through the accumulation of repetitive work, allowing viewers to perceive the spirituality where material fineness and enormous labor are condensed into forms. Horsehair weaving is rare craft where technology, materials, optical properties, and temporality fuse, embodying the reason Korean contemporary craft attracts global attention.
