The Korea Craft & Design Foundation (Director Jang Dong Kwang) announced that the Craft Trend Fair 2024, held from December 12 to 15, achieved over twice the sales of the previous year. This was made possible by proactive business operations, including inviting international buyers and enhancing global networking.

Celebrating its 19th edition, the Craft Trend Fair is a specialized exhibition designed to popularize Korean craft culture and strengthen the industry’s competitiveness. This year’s event, themed Everyday Masterpieces, brought together 296 participants, including emerging craft artists, workshops, brands, and corporations.

According to the Korea Craft & Design Foundation, the fair concluded successfully on December 15, bolstering the global competitiveness of Korean crafts and artists by inviting international craft institutions and establishing a vibrant global craft network.

A core focus of this year’s event was business matching to promote the craft culture industry and expand international markets. Buyers from countries such as the UAE, the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and France engaged in consultations with Korean craft artists and workshops. This resulted in transactions amounting to more than double the sales recorded in the previous year.

The main exhibition hall, themed The Line of Nature, The Zen of Mind, featured works by 29 leading Korean craft artists. The curated display explored the intricate relationship between nature and craftsmanship, emphasizing simplicity and mindfulness.

Sections like the Craft Mediation Hall and Craft Workshop Hall drew significant attention. These areas showcased diverse promotional initiatives from institutions and companies bridging the gap between craftspeople and consumers, including contributions from the Cultural Heritage Administration, Cheongju Craft Museum, Lexus, and Ottogi.

This year’s Emerging Craft Artists Section expanded its participation with a unified university booth format. Young craft artists in their 20s, selected through a competitive process with a 4:1 ratio, represented over 50% of the 93 participants in this section, highlighting the industry’s youthful vibrancy.

Director Jang Dong Kwang remarked, “The Craft Trend Fair has significantly contributed to revitalizing the craft market and expanding opportunities for enjoying craft culture. This year’s event laid the groundwork for expanding the global reach of Korean crafts and showcased their growth potential. As we approach the 20th anniversary in 2025, we are planning initiatives to redefine the value of K-crafts and elevate their global stature.”

Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com