Matiere: A Fusion of Art and Jewelry

Designers Sungjae Han and Boyeon Kim's Innovative Approach to Jewelry Design

The design of Matiere stands out for its unique properties. It is a work that expresses the beauty of the moment by capturing abundant expressiveness through the overlap of pigment using the palette knife effect. Each piece of jewelry has a different form, touch, and texture, creating a unique beauty that sets it apart from other designs.

The realization of Matiere was achieved through the use of a variety of materials, including pure silver, red copper, brass, stainless steel, gold leaf, linseed oil, oil painting pigment, and sap of lacquer. The use of Korean traditional material 'sap of lacquer' adds a beautiful texture to the metal plate, similar to oil painting pigment. The mixing ratio of material and mixing time greatly influence the maintenance of volume after drying and the natural knife touch effect.

Matiere is not just a piece of jewelry, but also a work of art. When not in use as a brooch, it can be attached to a canvas frame with magnetism and displayed as a picture. Conversely, when used as a brooch, it can be attached to a cloth using the pin on the back, transforming it into a piece of wearable art.

The design project took place from November 2015 to April 2016 in Korea and was exhibited in Art of Aura Tumtree Project in May 2016 in Korea and Design Miami in June 2016 in Switzerland. The project faced several challenges, including the long drying time of the materials used and the risk of cracking or discoloration over time. However, these challenges were overcome through the use of quality sap of lacquer, which increases gloss, provides strong adhesion, and reduces drying time.

Matiere was awarded Silver in A' Jewelry, Eyewear and Watch Design Award in 2017, a testament to its innovative design and outstanding craftsmanship. This design is a perfect example of how art and fashion can be seamlessly blended to create a unique and beautiful piece of jewelry.