[슈가아트 선구자, 최두리 선생님 인터뷰] Sugar craft pioneer shines in Japan

Sugar artist Choi Du-ri introduced her craft to Korea 18 years ago.

In consideration of her life and career since, Choi's pioneering role comes as no surprise.

Choi's first job was in foreign trade, but it didn't sit well with her.

"I?Ψve loved using my hands to make things since I was little. I learned a lot of things like flower arrangement, cooking and craft on weekends and after work. I even acquired a license in hairdressing," she said.

Her enthusiasm for making things reached its peak when she encountered the world of bakery, and even later on when she first saw sugar craft.

She quit her trading job and wondered around the world, stopping off in England, France and Japan, to learn sugar craft. Of those countries, she studied for the longest time in Japan and was also most influenced by the work there.

Even for the ambitious artist, introducing something new to her home country was not an easy job.

"My teachers in Japan had warned me that it would take at least 10 years for sugar craft to settle in Korea. Now 18 years have passed, and I think it has settled pretty well. In five to 10 years, I think we will catch up with Japan," Choi said.

Choi recently won the gold prize at a renowned sugar craft contest held in Tokyo hosted by Japan's Sugar Art Association.

"Honestly I thought I would win the Grand Prix. But I knew Japan would never give away the Grand Prix to a Korean. Sugar craft started way earlier in Japan so the Japanese always think they are a cut above Korea in the field," she said.

Choi, who was also a judge at the competition, admitted that Japan was still better concerning the bakery and sugar craft field.

"They are never sloppy and they consider the basic rules as very important. England is the home of sugar craft but I think Japanese artists show much more creativity," she said.

Choi, however, said that she had seen great potential in Korean students.

She has taught more than 1,000 students so far, and obviously, all Korean sugar craft artists are her juniors or were once her students.

She now teaches students at her sugar craft work shop, "Sugar Craft" in Jamwon-dong, southern Seoul.

Unlike the certificate for bakers, however, there are no official certificates given out to sugar craft artists yet. It takes a lot of time and money to build a system, explained Choi.

Instead, Korean Sugar Craft Association, which Choi is currently the president of, is planning to give out diplomas.

"The diploma will also serve as a certificate to become a sugar craft teacher," Choi said.

While building the process to raise professionals, Choi also hopes sugar craft will become more popular among the public.

"It is very popular in England. Most housewives know how to make sugar decorated cakes at home and they even sell instant sugar craft kits at marts. In Japan also, 99 percent of the people who learn it do it for a hobby," Choi said.

"Sugar craft is something you can learn while having a different job or raising children. It is hand skills so you don't easily forget how to do it. Won't it make a great hobby and even supplement your household economy if you make them as presents for your important people?" she added with a smile.

For more information on "Sugar Craft," visit sugarcraft.co.kr

(claire@heraldm.com)

By Park Min-young