Department of Crafts and Creative Design, National University of Kaohsiung

Introduction

“Sea_Ker” symbolizes us—drifting and navigating within a vast ocean of mediums. Over the past four years, we have swayed within shifting “tides”—a confluence of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, as well as a site where the warmth of handwork meets the impact of digital thinking.

The hands of craft act as an “anchor,” grounding us deeply in materials such as metal, wood, bamboo, and clay, where we learn patience and resilience. Meanwhile, design thinking becomes our “sail,” propelling us forward through the waves of visual culture, creative industries, and digital realms.

“Sea_Ker” signifies both the Seeker and the connection between Sea and Maker. As we wander like nomads, we tend and cultivate our skills, transforming surging waves into momentum. Ultimately, each Sea_Ker crosses the tides, building their own creative island within this boundless ocean of mediums.

Centered on the concept of “Sea_Ker,” this exhibition employs oceanic imagery to portray the journey of creators migrating and exploring across diverse mediums. Creation, like navigating the sea, is a process of diving—each immersion a dialogue with materials, environment, and the self, as well as a movement forward toward new frontiers shaped by accumulated experiences.

The exhibition features 34 graduation projects, presenting the distinctive diversity of materials within the department. Like converging ocean currents, these works gather to form a unique and dynamic creative energy. Through them, we hope viewers can sense the techniques and reflections students have developed throughout their learning journeys, as well as their forward-looking momentum as they set sail toward the future.