ABOUT ARTIST
For multiple decades Korea’s Jong Deok Lee has been pursuing perfection in the ancient craft of 방짜 bangjja, which is a unique form of metal work. Bangjja comes from the Napcheoung region in the country’s north. The material for bangjja is a specific blend of 78% copper and 22% zinc, which is melted together and then hammered into shape while still hot and malleable. The more the metal is pounded the more robust it becomes making for a highly durable material perfect for use in tableware. Because of its unique composition, bangjja is known to be self-sterilising and the way it conducts heat means it can keep hot food hot and cold food cold for long periods. This hand-made process is seen as a work of art and a traditional craft in Korea that continues to be coveted.
