| Artist: yeonji kim (view artist gallery) | |
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| As a South Korean who lives in Atlanta, I still have my heritage but am also influenced by cultures from around the world. This combination of cultural influences is apparent within my work. Another strong influence of my work is through the Dado tea ceremony. The Chosun Dynasty in Korea influences much of my work. For example, the Jungho tea bowl is my favorite example from the Chosun Dynasty and I have worked to pay homage to this traditional form while developing different types of feet on the bowls or using brighter glaze color. I try to retain the feeling of the traditional form while giving it a more contemporary feel. I am also interested in combining elements of pottery from other cultures with the traditional influences I have discussed. One area of study for me has been in taking aspects of Ancient Greek pottery forms such as the Kylix and Pyxis and bringing those forms into Dado tea ceremony utensils I create. In addition to this merging of form, I created Greek-influenced ornamental stamps for the surface design. Another area of influence has been 18th century European silver teapots. I try to achieve their refined elegance in my work perhaps through a long spout or high curved handle on a form. In addition to being a ceramic artist, I practice various Asian tea ceremonies. Performing a tea ceremony is meditative for me and while I'm doing it, my mind, body and soul become one. Outside of tea ceremony performances, I have always been a collector of the tea utensils involved in the ceremony - mainly teapots and tea bowls. Through collecting these items and developing a close relationship to them, it seemed natural that I learn to make them myself. The main concern within my work is utility and function while reflecting the meditation of the ceremony in the practice of making the pots. |
