Exhibition features reproduced traditional shoes

Traditional shoes with embroidery on silk / Courtesy of Yeol

Yeol Hanok, a foundation preserving Korean heritage, is holding an exhibition featuring traditional shoes reproduced by a master artisan in Gahoe-dong, northern Seoul.

Titled "Wearing tradition, Storing Tradition," the exhibition is an extension of a project sponsoring traditional craftsmen. It features the works of traditional shoe maker An Hae-pyo, who was selected as Yeol's "Artisan of the Year" and textile artist Jo Ha-na, who received its "Young Craftsman Award."

Interest in traditional shoes had been somewhat lesser than that in traditional clothes. The exhibition for the first time features traditional shoes, Hwahye, reproduced by An. These include a range of shoes, from those worn by kings to common people.

Presented along with the shoes are Cho's bags created using traditional paper folding techniques.

GRI Korea, which imports shoe brands Nine west and Steve Madden, has been sponsoring the project for five years.

“What GRI Korea aims for is to bring people closer to traditional craftsmen and their art in their daily lives,” said GRI Korea’s Diana Kang

The exhibition at Yeol Hanok will run through May 27.