The Cultural Heritage Administration, in collaboration with the Korea Handicraft Cooperative Federation and the Korea Federation of SMEs, announced the 54th Korean Handicraft Contest, set to take place from December 13 to 15 at Gallery 6 of the Cheongju Culture Factory.

This year's Presidential Award was bestowed upon Jung Se Hui's creation, Always Spring Days. The piece, inspired by Shin Saimdang's Chochungdo (a depiction of plants and insects), is a lacquered lunch box crafted from toon wood. Featuring floral motifs meticulously embedded with mother-of-pearl, the work balances practicality with ornamental elegance, garnering critical acclaim.

The Prime Minister’s Award went to Lee Hyuk for his brassware masterpiece, Korean Cuisine Globalization. This piece showcases the integration of traditional craftsmanship with contemporary cultural aspirations.

Four additional works received the Cultural Heritage Administrator’s Award: Lee Ggot Dam’s A Girl’s Secret Garden, Park Kyung Hee’s Rebirth, Lee Gi Ho’s Kikdago (a reference to the Zen phrase “Enjoy Tea”), and Go: Objet (meaning "precious object") by So Jung Han.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for December 13 at 2 p.m., coinciding with the event’s opening ceremony. Winning pieces will remain on display throughout the three-day exhibition, offering visitors a chance to witness Korea's finest handicrafts that honor tradition while embracing modern creativity.

Sayart / Joy, nunimbos@gmail.com