Crafting a Legacy: The Journey of Violin Maker Ayoung An
In the world of violin making, there are craftsmen, and then there are artists. Ayoung An, a rising star in the violin-making world, falls firmly into the latter category. Her journey from a small town in South Korea to the historic streets of Cremona, Italy, is a testament to her passion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to her craft.
An’s love affair with the violin began at the tender age of 8 when her parents gifted her with the instrument. From that moment on, she was inseparable from her violin, even sleeping with it on the pillow next to her every night. As a teenager, she made the bold decision to become a violin maker, a path that led her to Cremona, a city renowned for its rich history of violin making dating back to the 16th century.
Today, at 32, An runs her own workshop in Cremona, alongside her husband, Wangsoo Han, who is also a violin maker. Her studio, bathed in natural light and filled with books and piles of wood chunks, is where she brings her creations to life. Each violin, crafted in the tradition of masters like Antonio Stradivari and Giuseppe Guarneri, takes about two months to complete and sells for a substantial price.
An’s dedication to her craft is unwavering. She spent years honing her skills, moving to different countries to study and learn from the best in the industry. In Cremona, she is the youngest member of a consortium dedicated to upholding violin-making traditions, so much so that she adopted an artist’s name, Anna Arietti, to better fit in with Italian culture.
One of the most poignant moments in An’s process is when she places her label inside the instrument, a ritual known as a “baptism.” Her label, stamped onto a piece of aged paper and sealed inside the violin, serves as a lasting reminder of her artistry and dedication to her craft. For An, the ultimate reward is knowing that her violins will be played and cherished for generations to come.
As she meticulously carves, shapes, and polishes each instrument, An’s passion shines through in every detail. Her dream is simple yet profound: to be remembered through her violins, long after she is gone. And with each violin she creates, she is crafting a legacy that will stand the test of time.
