eju has always been known for its unique culture and language. Crafts that incorporate the local dialect are on display this month at (심헌) Simheon Gallery. Kim Min-hoe has more.





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‘Haenyeo, Deep Below the Sea’ by Song Eun-sil

"천길 만길 바당 소곱에서 삶을 맹글엉 짚고 너른 바당 소곱을 어영저영 댕기는 해녀"
“Hanyeo, diving deep, deep below the sea, making life with your iron will and determination.”

The young women divers had to plunge into the endless depths. The precariousness of their situation, caught between life and death, is infused into the Jeju dialect.

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‘Lovely, You’ by Kim Cho-eun

A simple piece of pottery titled “Lovely, You.” Not fancy, but an attractive piece nonetheless, where the viewer can tell that the artist is trying to say something.

The pieces that incorporate the Jeju dialect give off a distinct charm at the show.

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‘Jeju Dialect Infused Into Art’ at Simheon Gallery through Oct. 28

10 artists are displaying 30 pieces that combine the Jeju dialect with their art at a special exhibition called “Jeju Dialect Infused into Art.”

The pieces include vases, various pottery, and dyed bags.

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Jeju dialect used as pattern

Articles for daily use adopt the shape of the Jeju dialect as a pattern for design.

This exhibition is designed to make the Jeju dialect more familiar to people who don’t know it otherwise.

INTERVIEW
Heo Min-ja / Director, Simheon Gallery
I believe that if you encounter the dialect in everyday life, the language can be preserved. This is why we have infused the dialect into everyday articles.
<인터뷰 : 허민자 / 심헌갤러리 관장>
"제주어를 일상에서 접하는 것이 보존의 방편이라고 생각해서, 일상 공예품에 제주어를 접목시켰습니다."

The lives of Jeju islanders are a distinct part of the dialect. And now that they’re a part of these everyday necessities, they can become more familiar to everyday people.

Everyone has the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the Jeju language through this exhibition.

Artists can see the potential of the dialect to be used as a cultural content for commercial use.

INTERVIEW
Kim Cho-eun / Calligrapher
The Jeju language uses short sentences and effectively conveys meaning. It has the potential to be a design element for souvenirs.
<인터뷰 : 김초은 / 캘리그라피스트>
"제주어는 짧은 단어만으로 의미를 전달합니다. 따라서 어떤 디자인 상품에도 접목 가능하기 때문에 관광상품으로서 가장 효과적인 컨테츠라고 생각합니다."

[Reporter] Kim Min-hoe
[Camera] Hyeon Gwang-hoon

The exhibition “Jeju Dialect Infused into Art” is on at the (심헌) Simheon Gallery through October 28.

Kim Min-hoe, KCTV