☆A carpenter who builds palaces, temples, and houses is called Daemokjang, and a carpenter who makes Furniture, windows, etc. is called Somokjang.
Somokjang needs the ability to create unique Korean beauty by maximizing the beauty of trees. In other words, understanding of the wood itself is necessary as well as knowledge of the woodwork, and above all, it must have an artistic sense. In addition, the completed Furniture should be artistically as well as practical, and most of all, it should be durable enough to withstand climate change.
The process of making Wooden Furniture is diverse, complex and elaborate. There are many different methods of weaving; somokjangs squeeze a sturdy frame without a nail or a paste. In addition, metal, Najeon(mother-of-pearl), and Hwagak(ox horn) are combined and lacquer is used as a paint to add durability and beauty.
Various patterns, such as the ten traditional Symbols of Longevity or the Four Gracious Plants give artistic value. Woodwind method digs up wood according to the pattern and inserts wood and materials of different colors to express the pattern in various colors. These various techniques are being used to make our traditional Furniture.
Kwon Woo-beom, the holder of the function, learned traditional craft skills from his father, learned modern techniques under Oh Yang-hwan, and visited Kim Oh-gyeom to learn the production of three-dimensional works such as Buddha statues, horses, tigers, dragons, and eagles.
In 1970, at the age of 20, he and his teacher participated in the first Excellent Crafts Competition hosted by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy. The teacher won the prize and Kwon was selected as a special candidate.
He review the old and learn the new. Traditional Furniture made to fit the sedentary life of Wooden houses now claims that it should be made to fit the standing structure of cement-structured apartments, and is also putting it into practice. At the same time, it is said that the true tradition is to inherit and develop the merits of traditional crafts, such as the simple texture of traditional crafts, and the beauty of division, and to combine new senses to create a new concept of luxury that precedes the times.