Jogakjang

Jogakjang, a major metalcraft technique developed in the Goryeo Dynasty, refer to the engraving of figures on matal bowls or other items. Among the skills required are pyeonggak or eumgak (depressed carving), tugak, yukgak (embossed carving), and sanggam ipsa. Tugak is the process of removing unnecessary parts with a chisel in order to make a decorative design, while sanggam ipsa is the art of scooping out a hole on the surface of a metal object and filling it in with gold, silver or bronze

The artist is Kim Cheol ju (1933~), a holder of important intangible cultural property skills. As a young boy he learned about sculpture by watching his father work. However, during puberty, when scolded by his father for producing unsatisfactory work, Kim cheol ju left home and wandered here and there for several days. It was at the age of 27, after being discharged from military service, that he finally determined to learn the skills required for sculpture. In 1971, his father, Kim jeong seop(1899~1988), was designated as the No.35 holder of sculpture crafting skills, and this prompted him to choose sculpting as his career. Afterwards, he was trained in the necessary artistic skills, became an associate instructor in 1982, and was designated as a holder of the skills in 1989 after his father’s death. 

His father, Kim Jeong seop was the first person to engrave sculptures on to aluminum with the anodizing method. He as a man who liked to experiment, was looking for materials to replace expensive silver; taking a cue from the plates of radio components, he began to sculpt metal plates. His attempt at anodizing began ten years earlier than that of the current metal craft workers. Afterwards, Kim Cheol ju, too. Engraves Banyasimgyoeng (a Buddhist scripture) onto aluminum plates for many sculpted picture frames and folding screens.  

 He devoted 50 years of passion to crafting his works; he has grey hair, and looks gentle and neat. He must have been handsome as a young man, presumably endearing himself to man girls. He is too wise to be complacent with reality, and exudes a feeling of goodness and cleanness. He still crafts sarira reliquaries with a pious mind after taking a bath to cleanse himself every day. This is why his works do not feel strong or fierce. He always maintains a calm posture outwardly and a dynamic mind inwardly. He said that he is most pleased when his clients are satisfied with his works.