This exhibition celebrates the dynamic artistry of contemporary Korean ceramics, where centuries-old traditions seamlessly intertwine with bold innovation. Featuring over 30 exquisite works by esteemed ceramic masters and emerging artists, Earthly Eloquence highlights the enduring influence of Korea’s rich ceramic heritage while showcasing artists who push the boundaries of the medium through experimentation and creativity. The exhibition also includes works by Korean American artists who reinterpret their Korean heritage through a unique cross-cultural lens.
K-CERAMICS
Korean ceramic heritage is renowned for its elegance, innovation, and deep cultural significance.
Originating in prehistoric times, it flourished during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE–668 CE) and reached its artistic height in the Goryeo (918–1392) and Joseon (1392–1897) dynasties. Goryeo celadon, renowned for its jade-green glaze and intricate inlay designs, exemplifies refinement, while Joseon white porcelain embodies eloquence and Confucian ideals. Buncheong ware, emerging in 15th-16th century, is recognized for their earthy aesthetics and dynamic decoration. Onggi ware, once humble storage vessels dating back to the Three Kingdoms period, has transcended its utilitarian origins to be reimagined as a refined art form in recent years.
Today, Korean ceramics continue to evolve, blending traditional techniques with contemporary artistic expressions and bold experimentation, and remains a vital aspect of Korea’s cultural identity and global artistic legacy.
UPCOMING EVENTS
You’re Invited to the 2025 Hangawi Celebration: Moon Festival!
Date: Saturday, October 11, 2025
Time: 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Location:
Korean Cultural Center of Chicago
9925 Capitol Drive, Wheeling, IL
Join us for a joyful Hangawi Celebration: Moon Festival! This year’s program brings together art, tradition, and community for an unforgettable afternoon.
| 1:30 | Registration and Lively Performance: Enjoy the vibrant sounds of 풍물 (Korean traditional percussion) as we kick off the festival. |
| 2:00 | Ceramic Traditions Lecture: “A Glimpse into Korean Ceramics: Tracing History through Contemporary Artworks” Hyonjeong “HJ” Kim Han is the department head and Joseph deHeer curator of Arts of Asia at the Denver Art Museum (DAM). A specialist in Korean and Chinese painting histories, Han was previously department head and associate curator of Korean art at the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco (2010-2021). |
| 2:30 | Moon Jar Making Demonstration: Moon Jar demonstration by Lee Dong Sik *, a celebrated ceramic artist from Korea whose work is showcased in museums worldwide. |
| 3:30 | Hands-on Crafting and Family Fun Enjoy light snacks, indoor games, and connect with community members throughout the afternoon. |
| 4:00 | Finale Celebration: We’ll conclude our festival with 강강술래, a joyful Korean circle dance, a beloved tradition of our seasonal celebrations. |
This is a wonderful opportunity to learn, create, and celebrate together as a community.
We can’t wait to share this special day with you!
Lee Dongsik 이동식 *
Korean, b. 1969
Lee Dongsik embraces the unpredictability of the traditional techniques and aesthetic essence of the Joseon era. Renowned for his mastery of Moon Jars, he makes his own glaze and fires in a wood-burning kiln he designed himself. His process yields a luminous organic surface with subtle variations in tone and texture that embody simplicity and elegance.
이동식은 전통 기법의 예측 불가능성과 조선 시대의 미적 본질을 포용하는 도예가입니다. 그는 달항아리 제작의 대가로 잘 알려져 있으며, 그가 직접 개발한 반투명 백색 유약과 장작가마 소성 과정은 미묘한 색조와 질감의 변화를 만들어냅니다. 이렇게 탄생한 은은하고 유기적인 표면은 단순함과 우아함을 고스란히 담고 있습니다.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
Artist Conversation: Lee Kang Hyo on Tradition as Inspiration
With Yeonsoo Chee, associate curator of Korean art in the Arts of Asia department at the Art Institute of Chicago and a specialist in modern Korean paintings and the court art during the Joseon dynasty.
Saturday, May 10, 5:30pm
- Exhibition guided tour at 4:30 PM
- Artist program at 5:30 PM
@ BISCO Hall, 9600 Capitol Drive, Wheeling, IL 60090
Lee Kang Hyo (b. 1961) is a distinguished ceramic artist renowned for his Buncheong ware. Lee’s work uniquely blends the robust forms of Onggi with the expressive surface decorations characteristic of Buncheong ware, a 15th-16th century Korean ceramic tradition. His creations range from large-scale jars to smaller functional pieces, all reflecting a deep connection to nature and Korean cultural heritage.
His works have been exhibited internationally and are part of prestigious collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the British Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Join the artist and curator Yeonsoo Chee as they engage for a discussion of Lee’s influences and learn how his ceramics relate to the performances he enacts as he paints them.
The program will be presented in Korean, with simultaneous English interpretation provided.
ARTISTS
The selected artists represent the pinnacle of contemporary Korean ceramics, each contributing to the revitalization and evolution of traditional Korean ceramic art forms. Through bold experimentation and innovative techniques, they honor the legacy of Goryeo celadon, white porcelain, buncheong, and Onggi wares, while pushing the boundaries of modern artistic expression.
Yu Geun-Hyeong (1894-1993), one of Korea’s most revered ceramic masters, a key figure in the revival of Goryeo celadon pottery and his son Yu Kwang Yul (b. 1942) carry forward the rich legacy of Goryeo celadon, blending traditional techniques with contemporary sensibilities.
Kim Yik-yung (b. 1935), a master of white porcelain, a pioneer in bringing Korea’s ceramic heritage into the modern era, is celebrated for her impeccable craftsmanship and dedication to preserving the purity and elegance of this ancient ceramic form.
Kim Seyong (b. 1946), a master celadon artist, is renowned for his meticulous execution and innovative approach to the storied tradition of Korean celadon. His generous donation of the piece in the exhibition underscores his commitment to the future of Korean ceramic art.
Lee Kang Hyo (b. 1961) is a leading figure in the revival of buncheong, reinterpreting this traditional Korean pottery with a bold, modern twist while honoring its rich heritage.
Choi Sung Jae (b. 1962), a master buncheong artist, continues to explore new possibilities in this distinctive Korean ceramic tradition, bridging past and present with his innovative works.
Huh Sang Uk (b. 1967), known for his innovative techniques in buncheong, challenges the traditional boundaries of this medium by infusing silver metal in his clay. His donation of one of the pieces in this exhibition highlights his dedication to expanding the horizons of Korean ceramics to next generations of Korean Americans.
Kim Heyjeong, with her innovative fusion of stoneware, porcelain, and celadon, brings a fresh, contemporary global perspective to traditional Korean ceramics, reflecting the evolving landscape of the medium.
Steven Young Lee (b. 1975), a Korean American artist, offers a unique cross-cultural perspective, merging traditional Korean celadon and porcelain with a uniquely American sensibilities.
Together, these artists stand as the torchbearers of contemporary Korean ceramics, reinvigorating the past while forging a bold path for the future. Their works represent the dynamic intersection of tradition and innovation, making them prime representatives of the ongoing evolution of Korean ceramic artistry.
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