Galerie HeA

《Dovetail》 is a collaborative exhibition in which the sensibilities of two artists, Heami Lee and Seongil Choi—each of whom has explored materials in their own distinct way—intertwine with precision.Heami, who participates in this exhibition, has explored the continuity of time and the subtle transformations of materiality through a meditative, repetitive process of layering silver onto ceramics. Seongil has structured a variety of materials—including metal, mesh, and wood—continually experimenting with the intersections between function, form, and methods of making.
Though born in the same era, the two artists have developed their practices in different cities and environments, expanding their sculptural worlds through unique materials and approaches.This exhibition marks the first collaborative moment in which two artists, having followed divergent trajectories, intersect their sculptural languages within a shared space.

The title of the exhibition, Dovetail, not only means “to fit together precisely,” but also draws from the dovetail joint—a traditional woodworking technique that tightly fastens two wooden components using interlocking, swallowtail-shaped tenons.
This method, designed to allow two pieces to support one another without adhesive, mirrors the way the artists' works come together and respond to each other in this exhibition. Here, they experiment with the process of joining independently created works into a singular sculptural whole.Lee’s ceramic objects and Choi’s structures become unified through a new sculptural language, expanding through clues found in their ongoing dialogue.Sometimes one structure lifts, other times it steadies—each gesture moving toward a point where they fit just right.

In this exhibition, their work unfolds in two sculptural parts: one centering on lighting, using light as a medium, and the other combining ceramic objects with metal and wooden structures into three-dimensional compositions. In the lighting piece Bark & Vine, Choi’s structure gently elevates Lee’s object, creating a point where light and form ignite together. Lee’s irregular ceramic form, imbued with a warm glow that contrasts with its coarse surface, meets Choi’s fluid lines that modulate formal tension—together forming an organic sculptural unity. Each piece radiates a distinct silver hue depending on the material, and the interplay of these differing textures and light qualities intensifies their beauty. This resonance between the works is not merely about aesthetic harmony, but a sculptural meditation born from a shared understanding of light and material.

Another sculptural group—including works like Silver Donut, Bloom, and BERG—features Lee’s ceramic pieces supported by Choi’s structures. Choi carefully observes the qualities of Lee’s ceramics—shaped by clay’s materiality and its embedded sense of time—and selects the most fitting materials, such as metal or wood, to engineer and craft each structural component with precision. Hidden mechanisms between their works interlock seamlessly, achieving structural completeness. This kind of intricate joining stems from Choi’s long-standing experience and deep understanding of material and construction.
Some works are elevated from above, while others are grounded from below—this shifting dynamic reveals the artists’ flexible approaches and the open dialogue between their sculptural languages.

While maintaining their individual sculptural languages, combining their distinct practices into unified structures would not have been possible without a willingness to embrace and attune to one another’s methods and sensibilities. From the initial sketches to the finishing touches, the production process demanded new approaches at every step—ultimately leading to outcomes that neither artist could have reached alone. In this sense, Dovetail signifies not only the physical joining of works but also encapsulates the entire process of mutual respect and convergence between their artistic worlds. This exhibition might be seen as a record of the conversations they’ve shared while walking unfamiliar paths. Though the path was uncharted, it was one they could reach together—an unfamiliar destination made accessible through their collaboration.
From this resting point, we ready ourselves for another journey to come. (Text by Jiwon Lee)

《Dovetail》 is a collaborative exhibition in which the sensibilities of two artists, Heami Lee and Seongil Choi—each of whom has explored materials in their own distinct way—intertwine with precision.Heami, who participates in this exhibition, has explored the continuity of time and the subtle transformations of materiality through a meditative, repetitive process of layering silver onto ceramics. Seongil has structured a variety of materials—including metal, mesh, and wood—continually experimenting with the intersections between function, form, and methods of making. Though born in the same era, the two artists have developed their practices in different cities and environments, expanding their sculptural worlds through unique materials and approaches.This exhibition marks the first collaborative moment in which two artists, having followed divergent trajectories, intersect their sculptural languages within a shared space.

The title of the exhibition, Dovetail, not only means “to fit together precisely,” but also draws from the dovetail joint—a traditional woodworking technique that tightly fastens two wooden components using interlocking, swallowtail-shaped tenons.This method, designed to allow two pieces to support one another without adhesive, mirrors the way the artists' works come together and respond to each other in this exhibition. Here, they experiment with the process of joining independently created works into a singular sculptural whole.Lee’s ceramic objects and Choi’s structures become unified through a new sculptural language, expanding through clues found in their ongoing dialogue.Sometimes one structure lifts, other times it steadies—each gesture moving toward a point where they fit just right.

In this exhibition, their work unfolds in two sculptural parts: one centering on lighting, using light as a medium, and the other combining ceramic objects with metal and wooden structures into three-dimensional compositions. In the lighting piece Bark & Vine, Choi’s structure gently elevates Lee’s object, creating a point where light and form ignite together. Lee’s irregular ceramic form, imbued with a warm glow that contrasts with its coarse surface, meets Choi’s fluid lines that modulate formal tension—together forming an organic sculptural unity. Each piece radiates a distinct silver hue depending on the material, and the interplay of these differing textures and light qualities intensifies their beauty. This resonance between the works is not merely about aesthetic harmony, but a sculptural meditation born from a shared understanding of light and material.

Another sculptural group—including works like Silver Donut, Bloom, and BERG—features Lee’s ceramic pieces supported by Choi’s structures. Choi carefully observes the qualities of Lee’s ceramics—shaped by clay’s materiality and its embedded sense of time—and selects the most fitting materials, such as metal or wood, to engineer and craft each structural component with precision. Hidden mechanisms between their works interlock seamlessly, achieving structural completeness. This kind of intricate joining stems from Choi’s long-standing experience and deep understanding of material and construction. Some works are elevated from above, while others are grounded from below—this shifting dynamic reveals the artists’ flexible approaches and the open dialogue between their sculptural languages.

While maintaining their individual sculptural languages, combining their distinct practices into unified structures would not have been possible without a willingness to embrace and attune to one another’s methods and sensibilities. From the initial sketches to the finishing touches, the production process demanded new approaches at every step—ultimately leading to outcomes that neither artist could have reached alone. In this sense, Dovetail signifies not only the physical joining of works but also encapsulates the entire process of mutual respect and convergence between their artistic worlds. This exhibition might be seen as a record of the conversations they’ve shared while walking unfamiliar paths. Though the path was uncharted, it was one they could reach together—an unfamiliar destination made accessible through their collaboration. From this resting point, we ready ourselves for another journey to come.

Seongil Choi

Seongil Choi studied Design at the Royal College of Art in London and has worked in both London and Berlin. He is currently based in Seoul, where he runs his own independent design studio. Seongil’s practice focuses on exploring new possibilities through the research of materials and production processes, leading to the creation of practical objects. His design approach lays a foundation for embedding narratives of material and process into each piece, allowing the finished object to serve as a medium that encapsulates its own story.Believing that originality in function and beauty stems from innovative materials and methods, he continues to blur the boundaries between craft, industry, and art—pursuing a sensuous and thoughtful approach to form-making.

Heami Lee

Based in Seoul, Heami Lee explores the diverse materiality of clay through her practice. She creates objects free from utilitarian constraints and embeds a sense of reverence for time in the process of layering silver onto ceramics. Believing that the past, present, and future flow as a continuous stream, she shapes forms that reflect temporal connection, condensed beauty, and fluid form—achieved through the repetitive act of silver plating. Heami’s works respond sensitively to the humidity and temperature of a given space, continuously transforming, and becoming complete as uniquely existing entities through a natural dialogue between the artist and the viewer.

Seongil Choi

Seongil Choi studied Design at the Royal College of Art in London and has worked in both London and Berlin. He is currently based in Seoul, where he runs his own independent design studio.

Seongil’s practice focuses on exploring new possibilities through the research of materials and production processes, leading to the creation of practical objects. His design approach lays a foundation for embedding narratives of material and process into each piece, allowing the finished object to serve as a medium that encapsulates its own story.

Believing that originality in function and beauty stems from innovative materials and methods, he continues to blur the boundaries between craft, industry, and art—pursuing a sensuous and thoughtful approach to form-making.

Heami Lee

Based in Seoul, Heami Lee explores the diverse materiality of clay through her practice. She creates objects free from utilitarian constraints and embeds a sense of reverence for time in the process of layering silver onto ceramics.

Believing that the past, present, and future flow as a continuous stream, she shapes forms that reflect temporal connection, condensed beauty, and fluid form—achieved through the repetitive act of silver plating. Heami’s works respond sensitively to the humidity and temperature of a given space, continuously transforming, and becoming complete as uniquely existing entities through a natural dialogue between the artist and the viewer.