The exhibition "2023 Korea-China-Japan Craft Exhibition-Harmony amid Diversity" on Aug. 30 was opened at Jeonbuk Art Center in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do Province, featuring outstanding craftworks from the three Northeast Asian countries in one place. Shown is the woodwork "Rhythm of the Mother-of-pearl Luster 2203" by Korean artist Chung Hae-cho. (Korean Culture and Information Service)
By Xu Aiying and Lee Kyoung Mi
The exhibition "2023 Korea-China-Japan Craft Exhibition-Harmony amid Diversity" opened on Aug. 30 at Jeonbuk Art Center in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do Province, featuring outstanding craftworks from Korea, China and Japan in one place.
As part of the 14th culture ministers' summit among the three Northeast Asian countries that ran from Sept. 7-8 in Jeonju, the exhibition shows 50 works by 47 artists from Korea, China and Japan.
The exhibition's subtheme "Hwaibudong" conveys how the three countries are similar but respect each other's differences. The emphasis is on comparing and appreciating the similarities and differences of their handicrafts.
From left are metal crafts by Kim Young-ock (Korea), Wang Xiaoxin (China) and Ryohei Miyata (Japan). (Xu Aiying)
For Korea, 17 works by 15 artists at the exhibition show the identity and characteristics of Korean culture that form the background of Hallyu (Korean Wave).
The artists created modern works based on their understanding of historical values and traditional materials, with the pieces showing the traditional and innovative aspects of Korean crafts.
Among the 16 Chinese artists whose works are in the exhibition, several are recognized by their government as leaders in the nation's crafts and art who preserve and pass down traditional handicrafts.
The 17 works shown effectively represent the spirit of Chinese culture and the most active of the art forms in six categories -- ceramics, lacquer varnish, metal, glass, paper and Shoushan stone carvings -- to show the state of creativity in contemporary Chinese crafts.
On the left is the textile work "Springen" by Korean artist Cho Hana and on the right is "Prayer for Peace" by Japanese artist Sayume Okuda. (Xu Aiying)
The works of 16 Japanese artists on display were nominated by the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition (Nitten) and Japan Kogei Association, two public interest corporations that promote Japanese handicrafts. With the artists prominent in their respective fields like metalworks, lacquer and dolls, their creations show the features of Japanese crafts expressed through deep understanding of materials and high technology,
"Korea, China and Japan are different from one another but we wanted to give the feeling of homogeneity within the framework of Northeast Asia," the exhibition's director Rheem Misun said. "The three countries worked together to produce satisfying results in a short time."
"We hope that visitors have fun looking at craftworks from Korea, China and Japan and finding both similarities and differences in them."
The exhibition also features Korea artist Kwon Dae-sup's White Porcelain Jar, a favorite of BTS member RM, prominent works from the National Art Museum of China and crafts by Ryohei Miyata, a metal craft artist and former chairman of the Japanese Ministry of Education (now the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)’s Culture Council and commissioner for cultural affairs.
The event runs until Sept. 10.
Ceramic artworks are displayed at this year's "Korea-China-Japan Craft Exhibition-Harmony amid Diversity" exhibition. (Korean Culture and Information Service)
xuaiy@korea.kr
