Jungeun Lee – a South Korean textile artist based in Auckland, New Zealand.
Jungeun Lee –
a South Korean textile artist based in Auckland, New Zealand.
Photography: Jungeun Lee
Words: Jungeun Lee
Textile artist Jungeun Lee recently spent time with our Forest Collection - a curated edit of seasonal essentials. From gentle rituals at her basin to the soft glow of evening candlelight, she found that scent and texture can hold space for quiet moments. In her own words, these pieces fold naturally into her daily rhythm, offering warmth, calm and a sense of home throughout the celebratory season.
Bio.
Jungeun (b. 1983) transforms flat woven surfaces into sculptural forms using traditional Korean techniques. Her work reflects on distance from her mother tongue and the multilingual perspectives that shape her artistic language. She began weaving in 2002 after studying textile design at Konkuk University in Seoul.
Her path then led her to Paris, where she studied at l’EPSAA and l’Université Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV), including a sabbatical year devoted to philosophy. In 2014, she founded her textile studio in Seoul, extending her practice through exhibitions, collaborations and spatial consulting across art, design and commercial fields. Since 2017, she has continued to develop her work in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.
Waxed Perfume
Forest Collection
We always light candles in the evening, enjoying the soft shift of light and how it wraps the room in warmth. The Yulepine scent brings a wistful sense of home to me, evoking winter forests, spiced tea, and comforting holiday evenings.
Carded Perfume
Forest Collection
I’ve hung this on the inside of the cupboard where my heavier coats are kept. It’s a dim corner of the house, so I’ve always relied on lavender sachets or potpourri but the scent usually fades quickly. This one holds its fragrance beautifully, and because it’s so slim, it’s easy to place just about anywhere.
Lip Punch
Forest Collection
I keep this Lip Punch everywhere - on my bedside, in the car, tucked into my jacket pocket. The considered mix of ingredients, especially the natural pigments, makes it gentle enough to use with my child. The dusky pink shade perfectly suits sun-kissed summer skin, while the arnica adds a subtle, refreshing lift.
Gentle Citrus
Gentle Citrus
Gentle Citrus
Soothe Tube
Forest Collection
Since I got this, it’s always sitting by my basin, within easy reach at all times. My hands get dry from handling materials like fabrics and yarns, as well as from gardening, and using it feels like taking a long, refreshing sip of iced herbal tea. It absorbs so quickly, leaving nothing behind but a clean, soft floral scent.
To see more of Jungeun's beautiful weaving, visit her Instagram profile.
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