Eunhui Ok Ceramic

Ceramic artist Eunhui Ok lives and works in Korea and Japan. She studied ceramics in Korea and Japan and she continues to work on ceramics while traveling between Korea, Japan, and Europe. AYU Space Hanok Gallery is presenting Eunhui Ok’s wide range of works expressed in ceramics, such as vessels used in daily life, decorative props and tiles, and reliefs as works of art. The exhibition also coveys the characteristics of the unique colorful clay produced in three different countries: from Korea, Japan and Italy. In this exhibition, the artist is displaying works that focus on the use of the traditional Korean technique of blue and white, as well as plating design and various methods of using ceramic art at home are introduced. After completing Graduate School of Fine Arts in Tokyo, Ok moved to Obama, a seaside hot spring town not far from Arita and Hashimi, the ceramics producing regions of Kyushu, and her ceramics work in Japan began in earnest. As Ok explains, “The blue and white painting work that I learned in Japan was not only delicate, but sharp knife-like techniques were essential, almost as if depicted in elaborate photographs. Unlike my classmates who, found a job at a pottery-related job and continued the traditional techniques they had learned, I went beyond the traditional techniques I had trained and began to express my own pottery and paintings. My works contain my wish to become simpler, to feel the freedom of tranquility, and hope to carry the same sensation to people through my works.” Ok’s works continued to be exhibited and sold in Japan, people in Japan often commented that her works has a Korean-like color or identity. People in Korea vice versa say that there is a Japanese influence in her works. We can find through Ok’s works that not only her works bear traditional ceramic craftmanship but also able to perceive her modern thinking, diversity and creativity. Ok continues to state that “I feel that the inspiration I received from the places where I grew up or lived and my experiences working in various environments have naturally been reflected. I feel the gratitude and joy for being able to return to Korea, Japan and Europe, and live and work by the things I love while touching different clays. I wish for people who take my ceramic work with them home will be able to enjoy the moment of freedom of tranquility and I also aim my works will be gradually matured.”