Korea Zinc Holds '2024 Metal Craftsman of the Year' Award Ceremony

The award ceremony for the ‘2024 Metal Craftsman of the Year Award,’ hosted by Korea Zinc, was held on the 11th at the Insa Art Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul.

The 2024 Metal Craftsman of the Year Award selected artists Kim Yong-ju and Lim Jong-seok as the final winners after a first and second round of judging based on portfolios, activity materials, and physical works submitted through Korea Zinc’s website in September. Each of the two final winners will receive a prize of 10 million KRW along with opportunities for exhibitions and promotions.

At the '2024 Metal Craftsman of the Year Award' ceremony held on the 11th at the Insa Art Center in Seoul, (from left) Seo Dosik, Chair of the Steering Committee, artist Im Jongseok, artist Kim Yongju, and Jung Mugyeong, Head of Sustainable Management at Korea Zinc, are posing for a commemorative photo. Photo by Korea Zinc

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Artist Kim said, "I have spent the past 15 years walking the path of a craftsman, which has been tough and not easy, but receiving this award gave me encouragement to continue developing my work and gave me courage."

Artist Lim shared, "I was a finalist for the past four years and went through interviews four times before finally winning this year. When I heard the news, I was four times as happy. The senior judges, who are also senior artists, encouraged me by saying, ‘We look forward to the next 10 years.’ It feels like I have been properly recognized as a metal craftsman," he said.

The Metal Craftsman of the Year Award is given to artists under the age of 45 who have been consistently active for more than 10 years in the field of contemporary metal crafts in Korea. Two outstanding winners are selected for their vigorous creative activities and exceptional creativity, and they receive certificates and prize money. Korea Zinc has sponsored the award since 2013 and has been directly hosting it since last year, continuing the tradition for 12 years.

Jung Moo-kyung, Head of Sustainable Management at Korea Zinc, stated, "I express my respect for the passion and skills of all the artists who participated in this year’s Metal Craftsman of the Year Award," and added, "We will continue to contribute to the development of contemporary metal crafts in Korea by supporting the artistic creative activities of young metal craftsmen."

Meanwhile, the commemorative exhibition of the winning artists is being held at the 6th Exhibition Hall of the Insa Art Center until the 16th of this month.

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