Youngeun Sung

Lentando

Q. Could you please briefly introduce yourself?


Hello, I'm Youngeun Seong, a textile artist. I specialize in fiber art, mainly using the technique called 'tufting.'

Q. Could you explain what 'tufting' is and what makes it special?


Tufting is one of textile art techniques that involves inserting yarn into a fabric. There are two main aspects that make tufting appealing: Firstly, by using different types of yarn, you can create a wide range of pieces that can be applied in various contexts. Secondly, tufting allows artists to intuitively and quickly transform their designs into three-dimensional works.

Q. Unlike paint, which can be mixed to create new colors, thread has fixed colors by its nature. How do you express a variety of colors in tufting crafts?

Creating the desired color palette from limited range of thread colors requires a keen artistic sense. I adjust the proportions of thread strands by color, similar to mixing paint, to achieve the color I want.

Q. It seems like you experiment with various forms and sizes in your work. How do you create sculptural transformations?

I focus on pushing the boundaries of textile by focusing on creating sculptural pieces. I sometimes combine different materials or stack layers of textile to make experimental works.

Q. It won't be an exaggeration to call you a pioneer in tufting in Korea. Did you face any challenges while venturing into this new field?

I'm a bit hesitant to call myself a pioneer, but I did play a small role in bringing tufting, a technique that's been existing, into the realm of crafts. I have been working in textile as my primary career since 2014, mainly creating bags and shoes using weaving techniques. I came across tufting when I was feeling the limitation of the range of expression I could realize, let alone the efficiency of my original work. So, with the knowledge and experience I had gained, I was able to start my tufting works.

Q. You've collaborated with many people so far. How was your collaboration with SEVEN EIGHT UNDER?

For this collaboration, I approached it differently than my usual work. Shoes are a fashion item, so you must consider their appearance. You also have to consider functionality as it should still be able to be worn by people, not only as art. So I thought of it as 'dressing shoes.' I focused on presenting the shoes beautifully from the start, and by adding clothing elements, I aimed to preserve their functionality as much as possible. As I worked on it, I found it very enjoyable, and I had many ideas like, 'What if I do it this way? What if I do it that way?

Q. What is the theme of your work with SEVEN EIGHT UNDER?

The collaboration has three themes:


1. Lentando
I emphasized the yellow gradient from the leg color and wanted to show what can be achieved uniquely through tufting by making the thread longer.

 
2. Wandering people

I abstracted the dynamic movements of many people and incorporated them into the design.


3. Hidden Dokkaebi
I wanted to create a protagonist for the midsole legs, so I created an imaginative goblin. I thought it would be fun to have a cover that can be detached at will, giving you a choice of decor according to the weather and mood.

Q. We see a lot of similarities between you and SEVEN EIGHT UNDER.

The slogan of SEVEN EIGHT UNDER, 'Keep marching,' aligns very well with my values. My favorite saying is, 'Never stop, and don't rush.' That's why my company is named 'Jeongseong Company,' which means 'putting in sincerity consistently.' In fields like handmade and textile art, you must take your time with things. Continuously putting in effort and not rushing is crucial in all aspects of our work, and it was nice to be reminded of it while working on this collaboration.

Q. What are your future plans? Do you have any ultimate goals?

I plan to continue working until I'm 80 or even 100. My long-term goal is to establish a textile art center. Currently, South Korea has no dedicated space for the intensive study of textile art.Even some prestigious universities are phasing out craft programs or merging them into design departments. Someone needs to carry on the tradition of fiber art, and I hope to contribute to that.

Youngeun Sung
Lentando

Q. Could you please briefly introduce yourself? 

Hello, I'm Youngeun Seong, a textile artist. I specialize in fiber art, mainly using the technique called 'tufting.' 

Q. Could you explain what 'tufting' is and what makes it special? 

Tufting is one of textile art techniques that involves inserting yarn into a fabric. There are two main aspects that make tufting appealing: Firstly, by using different types of yarn, you can create a wide range of pieces that can be applied in various contexts. Secondly, tufting allows artists to intuitively and quickly transform their designs into three-dimensional works. 

Q. Unlike paint, which can be mixed to create new colors, thread has fixed colors by its nature. How do you express a variety of colors in tufting crafts? 

Creating the desired color palette from limited range of thread colors requires a keen artistic sense. I adjust the proportions of thread strands by color, similar to mixing paint, to achieve the color I want.

Q. It seems like you experiment with various forms and sizes in your work. How do you create sculptural transformations? 

I focus on pushing the boundaries of textile by focusing on creating sculptural pieces. I sometimes combine different materials or stack layers of textile to make experimental works. 

Q. It won't be an exaggeration to call you a pioneer in tufting in Korea. Did you face any challenges while venturing into this new field? 

I'm a bit hesitant to call myself a pioneer, but I did play a small role in bringing tufting, a technique that's been existing, into the realm of crafts. I have been working in textile as my primary career since 2014, mainly creating bags and shoes using weaving techniques. I came across tufting when I was feeling the limitation of the range of expression I could realize, let alone the efficiency of my original work. So, with the knowledge and experience I had gained, I was able to start my tufting works. 

Q. You've collaborated with many people so far. How was your collaboration with SEVEN EIGHT UNDER? 

For this collaboration, I approached it differently than my usual work. Shoes are a fashion item, so you must consider their appearance. You also have to consider functionality as it should still be able to be worn by people, not only as art. So I thought of it as 'dressing shoes.' I focused on presenting the shoes beautifully from the start, and by adding clothing elements, I aimed to preserve their functionality as much as possible. As I worked on it, I found it very enjoyable, and I had many ideas like, 'What if I do it this way? What if I do it that way? 

Q. What is the theme of your work with SEVEN EIGHT UNDER? 

The collaboration has three themes:


1. Lentando
I emphasized the yellow gradient from the leg color and wanted to show what can be achieved uniquely through tufting by making the thread longer.


2. Wandering people

I abstracted the dynamic movements of many people and incorporated them into the design.


3. Hidden Dokkaebi
I wanted to create a protagonist for the midsole legs, so I created an imaginative goblin. I thought it would be fun to have a cover that can be detached at will, giving you a choice of decor according to the weather and mood. 

Q. We see a lot of similarities between you and SEVEN EIGHT UNDER. 

The slogan of SEVEN EIGHT UNDER, 'Keep marching,' aligns very well with my values. My favorite saying is, 'Never stop, and don't rush.' That's why my company is named 'Jeongseong Company,' which means 'putting in sincerity consistently.' In fields like handmade and textile art, you must take your time with things. Continuously putting in effort and not rushing is crucial in all aspects of our work, and it was nice to be reminded of it while working on this collaboration. 

Q. What are your future plans? Do you have any ultimate goals? 

I plan to continue working until I'm 80 or even 100. My long-term goal is to establish a textile art center. Currently, South Korea has no dedicated space for the intensive study of textile art.Even some prestigious universities are phasing out craft programs or merging them into design departments. Someone needs to carry on the tradition of fiber art, and I hope to contribute to that. 


PF. KAKAO
78under

CONTACT
1877-5784

ADDRESS
702, 7F B-DONG, 59, SEONGSUIL-RO 8-GIL,
SEONGDONG-GU, SEOUL
BANK INFO
KEBHana Bank 210-910041-84004
HELLO@78UNDER.COM
BUSINESS LICENSE
764-87-01778
MAIL-ORDER LICENSE
2022-서울성동-00121
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
SEHGEUN CHOI
CHIEF PRIVACY OFFICER
SEHGEUN CHOI
FOLLOW
COMPANY
WMW, Inc.

Hosting Service Provider ㅣ Imweb Corp.

© Copyrights 2022. Seven Eight Under all rights reserved. The content may not be published, rewritten or redistributed.

PF. KAKAO
78under
CONTACT
1877-5784

ADDRESS
702, 7F B-DONG, 59, SEONGSUIL-RO 8-GIL, SEONGDONG-GU, SEOUL


HELLO@78UNDER.COM

BANK INFO
KEBHana Bank 210-910041-84004

FOLLOW

COMPANY

MAIL-ORDER LICENSE

BUSINESS LICENSE

CHIEF PRIVACY OFFICER

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER


Hosting Service Provider

Imweb Corp.


© Copyrights 2022. Seven Eight Under all rights reserved.
The content may not be published, rewritten or redistributed.