The Line of Life by Yonghak Jo. Winner of the Klimt02 New Talents Award 2024 at Hannah Gallery

Artist list

Yonghak Jo

Yonghak's works explore jewelry as a medium for preserving personal and collective memories, drawing inspiration from historical narratives and the Counter-monument Movement. A key focus of his practice is the revival of a nearly lost Korean silverwire inlay technique, which he integrates into his pieces to symbolize memory, separation, and reunion. And he continues to explore the intersection of craft, history, memory and identity in his artistic practice.


Yonghak states:
Throughout human history, monuments have reminded societies of their shared stories and heritage. The Counter-monument Movement, which emerged in Germany in the late 20th century, emphasizes flexibility and participation in memory culture through open spaces for continuous interpretation.

Jewellery, historically small and portable, serves as personal monuments to memories. In my diploma project, I explored contemporary jewellery as a medium for sharing collective memories. Afterward, I shifted focus to personal narratives, highlighting how diverse memories shape culture.

The motifs of the sea and ships symbolize separation and reunion in my work. The movement of lines represents the sea’s motion, human relationships, and the bond between humans and objects.

My jewellery connects the past and present, restoring lost memories and relationships. I aim for contemporary jewellery to hold both personal and collective memories, passing them to future generations with messages of hope and healing. Amid global conflicts, I believe remembering violence is a way to resist it, and I hope my work contributes to this effort.


Opening: 26th March from 19h to 21h.
Visiting hours: Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 13:00 h & 16:00 to 19:00 h.