Yoonjee Kwak, Contemporary, Moon Jar, Hand-Built Stoneware, 2020

Yoonjee Kwak, Contemporary, 'Patterned Memories' Moon Jar, Stoneware Jar, Vase, or Vessel, 2020s Unique hand built contemporary stoneware jar or vase by award winning South Korean artist, Yoonje Kwak. This example features the artist signature crotchet style technique. Signed on the underside. Height: 15.5 inches, Width: 11.5 inches, Depth: 11.5 inches Yoonjee Kwak is an artist and educator originally from South Korea. With a passion for artistic expression, Yoonjee has participated in various artist residencies and conducted workshops both nationally and internationally, all while showcasing her art in numerous prestigious venues. Yoonjee is a former long-term resident artist at the Archie Bray Foundation in MT (2017-2019) and Pottery Northwest in WA (2021-2022). She earned her MFA in ceramics from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, 2014 and her BFA in ceramics and glass from Hong-Ik University in Seoul, South Korea, 2012. Recognizing her outstanding talent, Yoonjee has been honored with the James Renwick Alliance Chrysalis Award in Ceramics and the Emerging Artist Award from Ceramics Monthly Magazine. Her artistic prowess has also been showcased in international Ceramic and craft biennials, including those in Icheon, Korea, and more recently, in Chungju, Korea, and Jingdezhen, China. Currently, Yoonjee serves as the Full-time Ceramic Faculty in the Visual Arts Department at the prestigious Loomis Chaffee School in CT. Artist Statement: Clay serves as a medium for narrating the remnants of memories, forged through diverse and unpredictable relationships with others and myself. These memories manifest in my work through precarious and fragile forms, exploring the delicate balance between weakness and strength. The core of my artistic endeavors consists of sculptural vessels, chosen to symbolize human beings as iconic representatives of Korean culture. In Korea, the metaphorical use of "vessel" in describing one's personality reflects a spirit of tolerance. For example, a generous or broad- minded person is often described as having a "big vessel." The vessel's structure, widening gradually from a narrow base, metaphorically signifies the spectrum of human relationships — deep, shallow, or simultaneous. My exploration of this theme draws inspiration from minimalism, nature, and geometry. Organic and architectural elements converge in the structure of my open vessels, serving as metaphors for individuals interacting with their external character. An open vessel suggests genuine connections with the environment, representing various depths of personal relationships. Additionally, the integration of natural and arboreal shapes intends to illustrate connections with nature, using these occurrences as both metaphorical and literal references for human relationships. Just as nature thrives on the interaction of its parts, humans find existence in interconnected relationships, mirroring the laws of nature. My preference for hand-building techniques stems from the directness of the fabricating process, preserving evidence of my physical interactions with clay. This interactive dialogue with the material is essential to my process. As I slowly construct clay coils from the base, my hand marks endure on the surface, capturing elements of movement, time, and emotion. The inherent beauty of coil-building lies in its ability to reveal progressive growth throughout the artistic journey, akin to nurturing a plant from seedling to blossom. Just as a plant requires water, sunshine, and time to flourish, my works demand patience and time. By incorporating memories of patience and time into the very fabric of my pieces, I create a meaningful record of my artistic practice.