The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gallery CNK
Gallery CNK is hosting a solo exhibition by acclaimed ceramic artist Euijeong Yoo from November 2 to December 21, 2024. Titled HISSTORY, the exhibition presents a striking blend of traditional Korean ceramics with contemporary aesthetics, offering sculptures that transcend the boundaries of painting and three-dimensional art.
The exhibition title HISSTORY carries dual meanings, referring to the convergence of individual narratives (his story) into a collective history (history). Yoo draws on this concept to craft ceramic works that embody personal stories while contributing to a larger artistic narrative. By merging grand historical themes with individual perspectives, Yoo’s pieces invite viewers to reflect on the enduring relevance of ceramic art.
In his artist’s statement, Yoo discusses the philosophical inspiration behind his work. He compares the experience of encountering traditional ceramics to the flâneur, a figure from Western philosophy who passively observes the rapidly changing urban environment. Yoo reflects on the paradox of modernity: while technological advancements have heightened efficiency, they may have constrained imagination within the confines of "reality." Through ceramics, he seeks to rediscover material flexibility and explore the metaphorical and symbolic possibilities of this ancient medium.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gallery CNK
Yoo’s creative process often begins in museums, where historical ceramics reveal societal values, aesthetics, and human aspirations. He views these artifacts as benchmarks of time and culture, noting how their colors, forms, and motifs reflect the philosophical and material desires of their eras. Drawing from this foundation, Yoo examines what contemporary ceramics might communicate to future generations, blending historical techniques with modern sensibilities to push the boundaries of the medium.
The exhibition spans three floors, each offering a distinct experience. On the first floor, the New White Porcelain series evokes the purity of Joseon-era ceramics while incorporating modern, vibrant colors. The second floor features the large-scale installation Poem for Clay and the Treasures of Daily Life series, bridging symbolic imagery with everyday objects. The third floor showcases Yoo’s Blue and White Porcelain series, highlighting his exceptional craftsmanship and ability to merge painting techniques with ceramic traditions.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gallery CNK
Yoo’s body of work seamlessly marries the elegance of tradition with the dynamism of contemporary art. His meticulous research and commitment to repetitive, deliberate practice are evident in the technical and conceptual depth of his pieces. Each work is a testament to his ability to balance historical reverence with innovation, creating a visual language uniquely his own.
Yoo has exhibited extensively, earning accolades such as the grand prize at the Seoul Contemporary Ceramics Competition in 2011. His notable shows include the Cheongju International Craft Biennale (2015), Contemporary Korean Ceramics at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (2017), and Korean Contemporary Ceramic Art in Belgium (2022). Recent exhibitions include The Shape of Time: Korean Art after 1989 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (2023) and an upcoming show at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in 2024.
Through HISSTORY, Yoo continues to expand the possibilities of ceramic art, inviting audiences to engage with a medium steeped in history yet profoundly relevant to contemporary life.
Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gallery CNK
Gallery CNK is hosting a solo exhibition by acclaimed ceramic artist Euijeong Yoo from November 2 to December 21, 2024. Titled HISSTORY, the exhibition presents a striking blend of traditional Korean ceramics with contemporary aesthetics, offering sculptures that transcend the boundaries of painting and three-dimensional art.
The exhibition title HISSTORY carries dual meanings, referring to the convergence of individual narratives (his story) into a collective history (history). Yoo draws on this concept to craft ceramic works that embody personal stories while contributing to a larger artistic narrative. By merging grand historical themes with individual perspectives, Yoo’s pieces invite viewers to reflect on the enduring relevance of ceramic art.
In his artist’s statement, Yoo discusses the philosophical inspiration behind his work. He compares the experience of encountering traditional ceramics to the flâneur, a figure from Western philosophy who passively observes the rapidly changing urban environment. Yoo reflects on the paradox of modernity: while technological advancements have heightened efficiency, they may have constrained imagination within the confines of "reality." Through ceramics, he seeks to rediscover material flexibility and explore the metaphorical and symbolic possibilities of this ancient medium.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gallery CNK
Yoo’s creative process often begins in museums, where historical ceramics reveal societal values, aesthetics, and human aspirations. He views these artifacts as benchmarks of time and culture, noting how their colors, forms, and motifs reflect the philosophical and material desires of their eras. Drawing from this foundation, Yoo examines what contemporary ceramics might communicate to future generations, blending historical techniques with modern sensibilities to push the boundaries of the medium.
The exhibition spans three floors, each offering a distinct experience. On the first floor, the New White Porcelain series evokes the purity of Joseon-era ceramics while incorporating modern, vibrant colors. The second floor features the large-scale installation Poem for Clay and the Treasures of Daily Life series, bridging symbolic imagery with everyday objects. The third floor showcases Yoo’s Blue and White Porcelain series, highlighting his exceptional craftsmanship and ability to merge painting techniques with ceramic traditions.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gallery CNK
Yoo’s body of work seamlessly marries the elegance of tradition with the dynamism of contemporary art. His meticulous research and commitment to repetitive, deliberate practice are evident in the technical and conceptual depth of his pieces. Each work is a testament to his ability to balance historical reverence with innovation, creating a visual language uniquely his own.
Yoo has exhibited extensively, earning accolades such as the grand prize at the Seoul Contemporary Ceramics Competition in 2011. His notable shows include the Cheongju International Craft Biennale (2015), Contemporary Korean Ceramics at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London (2017), and Korean Contemporary Ceramic Art in Belgium (2022). Recent exhibitions include The Shape of Time: Korean Art after 1989 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (2023) and an upcoming show at the Minneapolis Institute of Art in 2024.
Through HISSTORY, Yoo continues to expand the possibilities of ceramic art, inviting audiences to engage with a medium steeped in history yet profoundly relevant to contemporary life.
