Sanglak Shon

Seoul-based artist Sanglak Shon received an M.A. in Menswear at the Royal College of Art, London. He previously served as the CEO and Creative Director (CD) of KANGHYUK, a fashion label acclaimed for its experimental patterns and materials. Currently, he serves as an adjunct professor at Yonsei University and continues his artistic journey as a sculptor while preparing to launch a new label. Through his process of observation and execution, Shon converts “deconstruction of structure” into “new birth,” redefining existing rules and limitations in various contexts and thereby opening up new possibilities. Shon separates industrial materials, such as hinges, from their original functional context and deconstructs them into their smallest units. Without any sketches or blueprints, he engages in a process of observation, experimentation, and feedback to create moments that reflect the movement of living beings. His practice involves repeated iterations until he discovers the beauty of life, transforming a mass made solely of units into a sculpture that embodies vitality and achieves perfect balance on its surface. He presents a variety of works, including fashion design, textiles, sculpture, and installation. Shon deconstructs industrial materials such as steel hinges, bolts, and nuts into single units and reconstitutes them as new forms through a process of observation and repetitive practice. He constructs sculptures with ‘vitality’ through his labor-intensive process of creation, bringing the unique aesthetic of materials, often considered secondary to their functionality, to the fore.