Chulan Kwak began his career as a furniture designer and has since built a unique formal language on the boundary between design and sculpture. While he initially created sculptural furniture using wood, he later expanded these formal shapes into three-dimensional, wall-mounted works and sculptures.

His primary formal motif is the brushstroke. Inspired by the marks left with each stroke of a brush, Kwak reinterprets them into a three-dimensional sculptural language, which defines the visual character of his work. The fact that the forms themselves resemble letters naturally stems from this creative process.

In terms of material, he still focuses his practice on bent plywood. This wood, ideal for creating curved forms, is hollow inside and lightweight, while its surface is colored or coated to enhance durability. Consequently, the pieces can be easily mounted on walls, combining practicality with sculptural perfection. Recently, he has expanded his scope to small-scale works using diverse materials like resin and copper, establishing a distinctive position in wall-mounted sculpture.

Kwak completed his master’s degree at a design school in the Netherlands and is also actively engaged in public sculptures and large-scale monuments. His work can be found in major hotels and public spaces, as he continues his experimental attempts that cross the boundaries between design and art.

Chulan Kwak(B .1979)

Education

2010 Master Degree in IM Masters at Design Academy Eindhoven(NL)

2008 Master’s Course in Woodworking and Furniture Design at Hong-ik University

2006 B.F.A in Woodworking and Furniture Design at Hong-ik University