The Korea Ceramic Foundation has launched an exhibition exploring modern adaptations of buncheong, a type of stoneware that originated in the 15th century during the Joseon era (1392-1910) and whose popularity lasted about 200 years.
“Living Breathing Buncheong” brings together some 100 works by 27 Korean ceramicists aged between 20 and 70.
“Inside Buncheong,” the first part of the three-part exhibition, looks at how people today view the stoneware and the philosophy behind it as well as its artistic relevance.
“Expressing Buncheong” examines pottery techniques used in making buncheong, studying how the stoneware differs from the white porcelain that would eclipse the buncheong style in the following centuries.
Buncheong is more colorful than white porcelain, and uses a greater range of decorative techniques than Goryeo celadon.
“Crafting Buncheong” will help viewers understand the intentions behind the contemporary interpretations of buncheong by the participating artists.
Works include those by Shin Sang-ho, a pioneering ceramicist known for seeking unconventional methods to produce not only buncheong but also white porcelain and celadon.
Shin’s works are on display at museums around the world, including the British Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum in the UK, as well as the Everson Museum of Art in the US.
Also on exhibit are several works by the late British potter Phil Rogers. Rogers is widely credited with an eclectic style spanning from medieval German salt-glazed wares to buncheong. In 1997, he traveled to Chungnam National University in Daejeon to study Korean stoneware.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, a talk with artists and a hands-on buncheong decorating program are available.
The exhibition runs at the Gyeonggi Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art through Aug. 17.
siyoungchoi@heraldcorp.com
