Elaborate and exquisite Goryeo celadon, simple and plain white Joseon porcelain and green-gray buncheong ceramics. Korean pottery and porcelain have long drawn art collectors' and art lovers' attention, especially in Europe.
Many European collectors, though, are now displaying an interest in other crafts over recent years. Contemporary Korean craftworks made through the combination of traditional materials and techniques, yet with colorful modern designs, are attracting galleries and art aficionados from across Europe.
Some of the most beloved craftworks are by Chung Hae-cho, a master of ottchil lacquer. He frequently makes use of the traditional Korean lacquer art of ottchil, a lacquer polishing technique that uses the sap from a sumac tree. His lacquer vessels made from layers of lacquer paste and textile display unique textures and curves and feature intense colors.
Chung's lacquer vessels have been especially popular in the U.K. after his works of art were displayed at the craft fair Collect in London in 2013 and after the British Museum purchased his work "Rhythm of the Black Luster 1402." The Victoria and Albert Museum also shed some light on Chung's works and filmed the process of him making his lacquer vessels when the museum displayed his "Rhythm of the Colour Luster 0831" in its exhibition "What is Luxury?"
Currently, "Rhythm of the Colour Luster 0831" is on display at the "Korea Now!" exhibition underway at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
The Collect exhibition also featured other Korean artists, too. This year's Collect, held at the Saatchi Gallery in London, included tableware by Kim Seo-yoon, a metal artist, in a section called Collect Open. Collect Open presents artists chosen by the U.K.'s Crafts Council.
All of Kim's works that balance between aesthetic value and functionality were sold to Willer, a London-based "living boutique."
Other Korean craftspeople are also attracting art dealers and museums from across Europe. There is ceramic artist Jeon Seong-Keun, known for creating eccentric textures using ottchil lacquering on white porcelain, ceramic artist Lee Kanghyo, who is known for buncheong ceramics with landscape drawings on them, and Hwang Sam-yong, who uses najeon mother-of-pearl inlays, all of whom have been gaining attention across the European arts scene.
Finally, the British Museum will display works by Jeon, who passed away in February this year, at its Korean gallery starting next year.
By Chang Iou-chung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Korea Craft & Design Foundation, Victoria and Albert Museum, Crafts Council
icchang@korea.kr
Many European collectors, though, are now displaying an interest in other crafts over recent years. Contemporary Korean craftworks made through the combination of traditional materials and techniques, yet with colorful modern designs, are attracting galleries and art aficionados from across Europe.
Chung Hae-cho, a master of ottchil lacquer, is known for his lacquer bowls, vases and vessels. His 'Rhythm of the Black Luster 1402' (top) and 'Rhythm of the Colour Luster 0831' (bottom), both works of art made by applying layers of raw lacquer paste and fabric onto a mold, have unique curves and textures.
Some of the most beloved craftworks are by Chung Hae-cho, a master of ottchil lacquer. He frequently makes use of the traditional Korean lacquer art of ottchil, a lacquer polishing technique that uses the sap from a sumac tree. His lacquer vessels made from layers of lacquer paste and textile display unique textures and curves and feature intense colors.
Chung's lacquer vessels have been especially popular in the U.K. after his works of art were displayed at the craft fair Collect in London in 2013 and after the British Museum purchased his work "Rhythm of the Black Luster 1402." The Victoria and Albert Museum also shed some light on Chung's works and filmed the process of him making his lacquer vessels when the museum displayed his "Rhythm of the Colour Luster 0831" in its exhibition "What is Luxury?"
Currently, "Rhythm of the Colour Luster 0831" is on display at the "Korea Now!" exhibition underway at the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
Collect, a craft fair held annually in the U.K., displayed works by Kim Seo-yoon, a metal artist, in 2015, including Kim's 'Bending Bowl' (top) and 'Bowl With a Pillar' (bottom).
The Collect exhibition also featured other Korean artists, too. This year's Collect, held at the Saatchi Gallery in London, included tableware by Kim Seo-yoon, a metal artist, in a section called Collect Open. Collect Open presents artists chosen by the U.K.'s Crafts Council.
All of Kim's works that balance between aesthetic value and functionality were sold to Willer, a London-based "living boutique."
Other Korean craftspeople are also attracting art dealers and museums from across Europe. There is ceramic artist Jeon Seong-Keun, known for creating eccentric textures using ottchil lacquering on white porcelain, ceramic artist Lee Kanghyo, who is known for buncheong ceramics with landscape drawings on them, and Hwang Sam-yong, who uses najeon mother-of-pearl inlays, all of whom have been gaining attention across the European arts scene.
Finally, the British Museum will display works by Jeon, who passed away in February this year, at its Korean gallery starting next year.
By Chang Iou-chung
Korea.net Staff Writer
Photos: Korea Craft & Design Foundation, Victoria and Albert Museum, Crafts Council
icchang@korea.kr
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