Treasure Basket

Artist / Maker Chunghi Choo ((Korean-American, b. 1938))

Datec. 1980

MediumFoil stamped on black wire mesh enclosure

Dimensions12 × 17 × 17 in. (30.5 × 43.2 × 43.2 cm)

ClassificationsSculpture

Credit LineGift of Dr. Charles Reed. In the permanent collection, Brunnier Art Museum, University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa.

Object numberUM2015.32

Status

Not on view

Collections

CultureKorean - American

Label Text"Simplicity, harmony and grace of form is what I like to see in my work. Each piece is to appear sensuous, joyous, aesthetically fulfilling, a pleasure to view and use." -Chunghi Choo From the University Museums Collections Handbook, vol. 2, 2025: Chunghi Choo was born in Inchon, Korea and spent her early life amid war and occupation. Creative from a young age, her family supported her artistic nature, as they were highly engaged in cultural activities over many generations. Choo attended Ewha Womans University in Seoul, studying fine arts where both Eastern and Western artistic traditions were taught. She became interested in more than just painting and began working in different materials, which led to her studying at the Penland School of Craft in North Carolina and to a graduate degree at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan, studying metalsmithing, ceramics, and textiles. After graduating, she first went to teach craft at the University of Northern Iowa and three years later she moved to the University of Iowa, where she would remain for her career in the metalsmithing and jewelry program. She became a passionate teacher and mentor, known for her guidance of many students over the course of her career. Well-known for her elegant silver vessels, Choo also continued to experiment with multiple materials as she did in her studies. Her work with metal mesh began in the 1980s as she was inspired to cut, layer, and form the mesh like origami. This is best found in her series of baskets made in this period. While three dimensional, they also incorporate a lightness and buoyancy that is unlike traditional metals. The metal mesh exterior wraps a vibrant interior gift or treasure, playing with traditional Asian gift-giving.

Locations