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Crafts CouncilStories

Discover the Korean craftspeople turning heritage on its head


ByYun Suh-young

23 February 2022

Collect reveals a new generation of makers bringing new life to old traditions


Yun Suh-young

23 February 2022

  • Collect 2022

Kim Dong-wan's Ottchil Glass Pots, which will be shown by Lloyd Choi Gallery. Photo: Moonray Studio

Korean craft has long been defined by age-old forms and techniques, but the work being exhibited by the country’s top galleries today reveal that its makers are increasingly putting their own spin on heritage crafts in exciting new ways.

‘Previously there was a heavy focus on tradition in Korea’s crafts,’ says gallerist Lloyd Choi, founder of the eponymous Lloyd Choi Gallery, which operates in both the UK and South Korea. ‘Now I’m seeing emerging artists who are doing what they want to do and not being bound by tradition. I see that as positive energy.’

These artists have built on the work of the founding figures in the world of Korean craft

At this year’s Collect art fair, which is taking place at Somerset House in London (25-27 February 2022, previews 23-24 February), as well as online on Artsy.com, Choi is showcasing two new faces – Cho Hee-jin and Kim Dong-wan – who she says exemplify the zeitgeist of today’s young artists, and who she believes will be a hit with the London audience. Cho’s palette remains minimal while exploring issues such as the impact of climate change, and Kim uses experimental techniques to create expressive patterns across the surface of glass vessels.

Another gallery, Han Collection, will be showing work by Kim Pan-ki, Min Seung-ki and Yon Ho-kyung, who each pursue their own styles and techniques that marry native Korean ceramic traditions with contemporary aesthetics. Kim pairs the traditional Moon jar shape with textured surface techniques; Min uses the ancient ‘guiyal’ technique to create distinct, brush-stroked marks; and Yon puts her own spin on ​​Buncheong ware – a form of traditional Korean stoneware, with a bluish-green tone. Similarly, husband and wife duo Lee Deok Ho and Lee In Hwa, represented by Gallery LVS & Craft respectively, pay homage to techniques predating them by centuries, while applying colour palettes more recognisable to modern-day.


  • Kim Deok Ho's 'Vestige' vessel will be shown online by Gallery LVS & Craft. Photo: Kim Deok Ho

  • Yu Yong-chul's Moon Jar, on show with Han Collection, features a textured surface rather than the typically smooth finish. Photo: courtesy of the artist and Icheon City Council

These artists have built on the work of the founding figures in the world of Korean craft, many of whom will also be showcased at Collect. Gallery LVS & Craft on Collect’s online platform will present ceramics by Korea’s early to mid-century masters Ahn Dong Oh, Ji Soon Tak and Yu Geun Hyeong, who have influenced many contemporary Korean and Japanese ceramicists and all produced their work in traditional wood-fired kilns.

Artists may be forging new traditions, but nonetheless Korea’s weighty ceramic legacy remains ever present: at Collect, both Han Collection and Gallery LVS & Craft will be showing contemporary artists, such as Yu Yong-chul, that have their own take on the iconic Korean moon jar – a centuries’ old globe-like porcelain vessel form that has influenced generations of potters.


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