During a five-day visit to Seoul, South Korea—taken in preparation for a planned solo exhibition in the city—I was invited to create a single artwork inspired directly by my time there. I spent many hours wandering without purpose through the vibrant streets, absorbing the rhythms, contrasts, and contradictions of Seoul. At one end of the spectrum, the city stands firmly in the 21st century, defined by futuristic skyscrapers, electric vehicles, and cutting-edge technology. At the other end, it preserves an older world: a labyrinth of narrow alleyways housing countless small workshops where everything imaginable is made, from delicate laboratory glassware to steel springs. This intense hive of production demands constant movement of goods, and it was the inventive, resourceful methods of transport used by local businesses that captured my imagination—and eventually became the catalyst for Light Load.

Across the city, a multitude of basic transportation tools are employed: adapted bicycles, tricycles, scooters, carts, and improvised trolleys. Among these, one object stood out to me above all—the traditional A-frame wooden carrier known as the Jige. Dating back to the Joseon Dynasty, the Jige was historically used by peddler merchants to carry heavy loads on their backs. Remarkably, its fundamental design has remained unchanged for centuries. Today, many Jiges are handmade from inexpensive materials, displaying a charming DIY ingenuity. Each variation carries the imprint of its maker, offering subtle adaptations that reflect need, improvisation, and character.

When the Jige is not in use, it is propped upright using a long wooden pole. This same pole doubles as a walking stick, helping the carrier maintain balance under heavy weight. This small detail struck me deeply—the quiet duality of support and function, rest and labour.

For Light Load, I sought to elevate this ancient utilitarian object, transforming it into something prized, contemporary, and contemplative. To do this, I commissioned a skilled cabinetmaker to craft a refined, beautifully finished Jige using high-quality materials. In contrast to the traditional frame, I stacked a series of modern plastic containers as the “load,” placing an everyday, mass-produced object in dialogue with a tool rooted in centuries of history.

By bringing these elements together, Light Load reflects the stark oppositions that define Seoul: old and new, handmade and industrial, tradition and rapid technological growth. The work celebrates the ingenuity of the city’s labourers while reimagining a humble carrying device as a sculptural object—one that honours the enduring human effort embedded within Seoul’s fast-moving urban landscape.