SOO HYUN CHOU
South Korea

EDUCATION

2024
D.F.A in Metalwork and Jewelry, Department of Crafts & Design,
College of Fine Arts, Seoul National University (KOR)

2014
M.F.A in Metalwork and Jewelry, Department of Crafts & Design
College of Fine Arts, Seoul National University (KOR)

2004
B.F.A in Metalwork and Jewelry, Department of Crafts & Design
College of Fine Arts, Seoul National University (KOR)

MEET THE ARTIST

Which moment in the making process gives you the greatest sense of satisfaction?

The moment I find most satisfying is when the resin has fully cured and I remove the modular moulds
to reveal the finished piece for the first time. Even though every stage is carefully planned, it is
impossible to predict the final form and colour with complete certainty. Only when the moulds are
removed does the work fully reveal itself. This element of unpredictability brings both excitement and
enjoyment to my practice. It is also the moment when digital design, handcraft, and the unique qualities
of the material come together to become a finished piece of jewellery.

Which step in your process goes unnoticed but is absolutely essential?

The most important part of my process begins long before a piece of jewellery takes its final form. I
spend a great deal of time designing modular mould systems that allow many different forms to emerge
from the same set of moulds. Although this stage is almost invisible in the finished jewellery, it
determines every possible variation that can evolve later. For me, a mould is not simply a tool for
reproduction; it is a creative system that generates new relationships between forms and opens up new
possibilities for making jewellery.

EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS

Solo Exhibition

  • 2025 Re:constructed Perspective], Yeol Bukchonga, Seoul (KR).
  • 2023 re:mould], Gallery Space Geumchae, Seoul (KR).

Group Exhibition

  • 2026 Friedrich Becker Prize 2026. Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus Hanau (DE).
  • 2026 LOEWE CRAFT PRIZE, National Museum of Singapore (SG).
  • 2026 Milan Design Week, Origins of Chinese Aesthetics - Liangzhu Culture and Contemporary Creation
    Exhibition, Fiera Milano Rho, Pavilion 5, Milan (IT).
  • 2026 SCHUMUCK, International Handwerk Messe Hall 1, Munchen (DE).
  • 2026 Treasure Peninsula_Verb List, EAREAR Gallery, Munchen (DE).
  • 2025 2025 ITAMI International Jewellery Exhibition, Itami City Museum of Art, Itami, Hyogo (JP)
  • 2024 NYC Jewelry Week_KOREA NOW, Charon Kransen Arts, NYC (US).
  • 2024 Talente2024, Messe Hall 1, Munchen (DE).

AWARDS

 

  • 2026
    LOEWE Foundation Craft Prize, Finalist, LOEWE Foundation (ES).
    Friedrich Becker Prize, Selected, Friedrich Becker Foundation (DE)

  • 2026
    International Handwerk Messe 2026 Schumuck, Selected, Chamber of Crafts for Munich and Upper Bavaria, Germany

  • 2025
    Selected, Itami International Jewellery Exhibition, Itami City Museum (JP).

  • 2024
    Talente 2024 Award Winner in Metal, Chamber of Crafts for Munich and Upper Bavaria (DE)

  • 2014
    Honorable Mentioned, 2014 New Traditional Jewelry Contest ‘Confrontations’ (NL).

  • 2011
    Honorable Mentioned, ‘Cheongju International Craft Biennale 2011’ (KR).