Yu Wol-nyeo is a Korean craftsman who builds miniature models. She had been interested in this art form for over 10 years before deciding to pursue it formally. After gradually escaping the arduous routine of raising children as a full-time housewife, she concentrated on this profession.
Between September 17 and September 22, I conducted an email interview with her in which she discussed her path to pursue this work.
Artist Yu Wol-nyeo is currently conducting a craft workshop named HAND MADE MINIATURE in Seoul (Korea) and has 12 years of experience. Her works are used to teach in classrooms and shown at exhibitions and fairs.
In particular, this year, artist Yu was invited to the pre-APEC 2025 event "The First APEC Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM1)" in Gyeongju City (Gyeongsangbuk-do Province). At the Korean Promotion Booth, she showed local and international guests her diorama work, which recreated the living space and architecture of Hanok (traditional Korean dwellings) in great detail.
Miniature models, according to the artist, can imitate many various times and materials, including wood, clay, and so on. Personally, she prefers works imbued with the essence and feelings of Korea; so, she frequently concentrates on building Hanok residences and works from the 1970s forward. In addition, artist Yu makes realistic and bright replicas of Korean cuisine.
She stated that miniatures are more than simply a craft; they can be considered a form of general craft. They were once commonly found in museum dioramas, but they are now used in a wide range of industries. They are used in broadcasting when putting up scenes is difficult; in film productions with high costs; and in commercial shoots for businesses. Miniatures are also extensively utilized for interior decoration.
She primarily uses Douglas fir and MDF wood in the creation of her works, which include models for buildings and furniture. She employs various materials for her accessories, such as clay, paper, and metal, based on the concept of the work. She uses small cutters, carving tools for precision shaping, and drawing tools to create intricate designs. In certain circumstances, she even designs her own bespoke tools for model construction.
In addition, she also shares the basic process of creating a model, which includes the following steps: Collecting images → Drawing proportions → Cutting → Finishing the project → Making furniture and props → Showing the effect of time and designing the exterior landscape.
In order to achieve realism and precision in her models, she relies on real photographs rather than artistic images. Then she strives to make the colors, textures, and arrangements as natural as possible, with no artificial intervention.
When asked about the meaning of the small models, she believes they reflect the culture and arts of the age they depict. Furthermore, they serve as a link between the past and the present, recording, educating, maintaining, conveying, and honoring creative qualities, thereby strengthening Korean culture.
Finally, the artist believes that through her own works, people will feel Korean culture.
"Hanok dwellings innately convey comfort and warmth, something that modern, beautiful, and ornate architecture cannot provide. I hope people can feel the warmth, intimacy, and personality of Korean culture, such as the simple, rustic, and full of character Hanok dwellings," she said.
Even though they are only miniature models, artist Yu Wol-nyeo has successfully introduced and promoted Korea. With her own elegance, resourcefulness, and deep love for her own country's cultural identity, she is helping to preserve the cultural essence and transmit its beauty to a larger audience
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