"The Moon Pearl 65" by sculptor Yoo Ji-an will be displayed at Downtown Design Dubai at Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from Nov. 8-11.

By Kim Seon Ah

Photo = Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Nov. 7 said it will take part in the exhibition Downtown Design Dubai in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from Nov. 8-11 to promote Korean crafts in the Middle East jointly with the Korea Craft & Design Foundation. 

As a design and crafts fair held during Dubai Design Week from Nov. 7-11, the exhibition is the largest design event in the Mideast region with around 30 countries and artists and designers from over 250 brands participating.

The ministry said it is participating in the event to boost the presence of Korean culture and crafts in Mideast markets after President Yoon Suk Yeol made a state visit to the UAE in January.

Six leading Korean artisans will present 26 of their craftworks at the event: Kim Joon-yong, Yoo Ji-an, Sohn Dae-hyun, Lee Sang-hyub, Cho Sung-ho and Huh Sang-wook. 

Specializing in works using mother-of-pearl, Yoo made a moon jar that was later given as a gift by President Yoon to U.S. President Joe Biden and his wife during the former's state visit to Washington in April. Yoo will promote Korean moon jars at this exhibition as well.

Glass artist Kim, who is mainly active at art fairs in the Americas and Europe, was a finalist for the 2018 Loewe Craft Prize, a Spain-based award launched in 2016 to promote the importance of craft arts and originality, excellence and artistic value in modern craftsmanship.

Considered a master in ottchil (traditional lacquer) works, Sohn is designated Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 1 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and silversmith Lee received this year's Craft Prize jointly awarded by the ministry and the foundation.

Sculptor Cho received rave reviews for his delicate metal works at this year's Korean Craft Show in Milan, Italy, and ceramic artist Huh plans to showcase works that reinterpret the traditional pottery technique buncheong with a modern aesthetic.

The ministry will support trade education and export consultations for craft artisans and related workshops and take part in expos and exhibitions overseas so that Korean craftworks can enter the Mideast market. It will also install next year a permanent crafts exhibition hall at the K-Brand Overseas Promotion Center, aka KOREA 360, in Dubai.

The craftwork "Dusk" by glass artist Kim Joon-yong will be displayed at the exhibition Downtown Design Dubai in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from Nov. 8-11.