This video synopsis was produced by Icheon, named after a city in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. Icheon is world renowned as the center for South Korean ceramic manufacturing and art pieces.
The ceramic masters featured are.
Ceramic Master Lee Hyang -GU
Ceramic Master KIM Seong-TAE
Ceramic Master YOU YONG-CHUL
Ceramic Master CHOI IN-GYU
Ceramic Master JO SE-YEON
The viewing is a brief musical and visual exposé of the ceramic masters artistry and gives the viewer an idea of what makes them experts in the field. The masters comfortabley display their production and in-lay creation techniques. Most are active members of the southern Korean artist community. Some have dedicated their lives to the craft and have been part of the industry for decades. Many have been thoroughly educated. As a primer, creativity in artistry and techniques is encouraged because the Icheon is also known as an educational hub. Some of the techniques have been derived from their personal experiences and education from around the world. Some have strong connections to the universities and local or international art institutions. Their techniques and inspiration can also come from their environment. Some techniques employ strong brush work, fired clay and unfired clay.
Some of character in the art can be inspired from old Chinese or Buddhist scripture. What set these masters apart from most the world, is their unique techniques derived from years of exposure from their traditional, commercial, educational, figurative and cultural experience.
Each ceramic piece reflects the master’s personal identity throughout the transformation of the physical clay. In essence, the clay is a median to express themselves and cultural identity. Through the use of spinning, sowing, mold making and slip casting, each technique results in a unique expression. No two pieces are alike each has its own character. A lot of the work is intricate using tools that can be both modern and ancient in origin.
Some have a perforated pattern or design. Some of the clay has a different hue and layered to produce a multi-color pattern when carved into. An unfinished piece can be hand painted, cut or even split to create whole new object. Some pieces result in animal figures, while others are shaped by tapping with a mallet or sculpted to add a personal touch. The ceramic masters spin, sow, mold and slip using tools, hands and patients to create unlimited variety of beautiful expressions from clay.