Kettle and Cup
Manufactured by Yeunhee Ryu
South Korea, 2025
Silver

Measurements
Kettle
16 × 13 × 22h cm
6,3 × 5,1 × 8,7h in

Cup
10 cm diameter x 5,5h cm
3,9 in diameter x 2,2h in

Edition
Unique Piece

About
Yeunhee Ryu’s reimagines the expressive potential of metal through a language of warmth and fluidity. Seeking to transcend the inherent rigidity of silver, Ryu approaches the material with a sensibility rooted in softness and organic transformation. The vessel’s generous lines and tactile surface evoke the gestures of handcraft, capturing a sense of movement and quiet vitality.In Ryu’s practice, metal becomes a medium of emotional resonance—capable of reflecting not only light, but also the subtlety of human touch. The piece embodies her pursuit of freedom within material constraint, revealing how the discipline of craft can open onto new dimensions of form and feeling.


Biography
Yeunhee Ryu (b. 1990s, South Korea) is a contemporary artist and designer whose practice bridges metalwork and cultural memory. Educated in design and craft disciplines, Ryu is particularly interested in reinterpreting traditional archetypes of Korean domestic life, such as the basket (baguni), through sculptural and material experimentation.
Working primarily with copper, she emphasizes the tactile and transformative qualities of metal: its capacity to be hammered, shaped, and aged, while recording traces of human gesture and time. Her works are both containers and sculptures, oscillating between functionality and symbolism.
Through the Baguni series, Ryu engages with themes of care, continuity, and community, situating her practice within a broader discourse on heritage, materiality, and contemporary craft. Her pieces invite reflection on how humble, everyday objects can embody cultural identity and collective memory, while also asserting new aesthetic possibilities in the field of design.