Power of Oamaru, Her Dream

Here in 2009, Korea is fighting hard to establish
international landmarks.
To keep Korea on this path, Jin Lee, Oamaru stone
sculptor, and president of the solar art studio,
is planning to create a beautiful city with Oamaru
stone sculptures and the fabulous aura they produce;
there is not much time left before her dream come true.

Through Kyungin expressway, I arrived to the
location of the Solar Art Studio. There I found giant,
warm sculptures waiting for me.
Shortly Jin Lee came out of her building to welcome me.
Her massive sized sculptures had a woman’s symbolic
feature and struck me with so many different feelings
compared to my experiences with other sculptures.

Even though the material was stone, it was very warm
and genial, yet very powerful.
I wonder if it‘s because the stone itself has so
much beauty that has charmed Jin Lee.
Her passion for the Oamaru stone is deep.

“Oamaru stone is 40million years old sea sediment
had sprung up by volcano action from deepest Ocean
with Continent of New Zealand created, I got to
know the stone for the first time while I was
working as a workshop potter in New Zealand.
Every stone has an individual character.
Whereas I find the character of Marble to be
cold and pretentious, I find the warm and down
to earth character similar to that of a very
caring mother and like warm earthen wares in
Oamaru stone. However, the stone is very dense
and strong, so that it fits the strong image of
the character that I create.”

She took a journey to quarry in New Zealand to
find Oamaru stone to set up her own business in 2007.
She was staying there for a few months doing her
first project, and moved people’s hearts.
She started to gain recognition since then.

She also added meaning for New Zealand festival
in Seoul in April of this year to present her
sculptures as symbolic figures of Korea
and New Zealand, which has helped to
strengthen the relationship between two countries.

She added meeting with Oamaru stone was destiny
and did not happen by chance.

She wishes to create the figures that go
together with nature beautifully, and make many
great land marks with Oamaru stone in Korea.
Due to Jin’s confidence in her dreams, we will
have to keep our eye on her path in the future!

Editor/ Hyewon Lee
Issue June,2009 Haut Magazine