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Kim Se-yong (ceramist)

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This article is about South Korean ceramist. For South Korean singer-songwriter, see Kim Se-yong.
Master
Kim Se-yong
Born1946 (age 77–78)
NationalitySouth Korean
Notable workOpenwork ceramics
StyleCeladon
SpouseLee Soon-i
Children2
AwardsKorean Master Craftsman for Ceramics
Websitewww.kceramicmaster.com

Kim Se-yong (Korean:김세용, Hanja:世昌 金世龍; born 1946) is a South Korean ceramist and C.E.O of Sechang Artistic Ceramic Institute.[1] He is known for his celadon style on ceramics based upon the traditional Goryeo wares. Kim was a former Professor of Ceramic Art at Chungkang College of Cultural Industries,[2] and currently resides and works in Icheon, South Korea.

Biography

Kim studied civil engineering at Gyeonggi Technical High School.[3] He became interested in ceramics during a school field trip to the National Museum of Korea.[4]

In 1966, Kim began working at a pottery in Icheon. At that time, Icheon had about 100 potters working in 7 to 8 potteries.[5] The pottery he joined specialized in Goryeo ware celadon.[6]

Within a year of starting work in Icheon, he became head of the pottery sculpture room.[6]

Kim's was called into militaryservice for South Korea during the Vietnam war. He returned to Icheon in 1972 joining a pottery owned by Shin Sang-ho.[4] He also trained under celadon ceramist and kiln owner Namgok Ko Seung-su (b. 1913).[7]

In 1978, he became independent, and built his own kiln.[5] In 1979, he established the Sechang Ceramic Research Institute.[8] It was an auspicious time. The years from the late 1970's through mid 1990's were one of the peak periods of celadon production owing to an influx of wealthy Japanese tourists who bought souvenirs in Icheon's and Seoul's pottery shops.[9]

In 2002 he was designated the 349th Korean Master Craftsman by the government of South Korea.[10] and the first master to be designated for celadon ceramics.[11]

In 2006, Kim held a solo exhibition titled "From Earth to Light”. He considers it to be the turning point in his life where he went from being a "major" to a "master".[12] It was held at the World Ceramic Expo Foundation's Icheon World Ceramic Center and began with a banquet in his honor.[13]

However, this period of personal successes coincided with the 1997 Asian financial crisis and Japan's lost decades.[14] Tourism and the market within Korea for traditional wares dropped significantly.[15] As a consequence, Master Kim stored many of his works hoping the market would improve.

In 2015 Kim was awarded as being Korea's Master of the year.[16]

In 2017 he received the Order of Cultural Merit of the Republic of Korea.[16]

As of 2023 he has received 22 awards, including the Garland Medal of the Order of Cultural Merit[17] and participated in more than 110 exhibitions in South Korea and around the world.[18]

Style

Kim's works are inspired by ancient celadon wares produced during the Goryeo period (918-1392). However, rather than simply replicating historical patterns, he adopted the Korean philosophy known by the four-character idiom "Beop Go Chang Sin" (법고창신 法古創新).[6][19] This philosophy was preached by 18th century philosopher Park Ji-won. It means to create something new that has been derived from the old.[20] According to Master Kim, "When you learn pottery, you first imitate the works of your ancestors and then gradually approach your own pottery."[21] If you get the feeling pottery is either Goryeo or Joseon period, "It means it has no vitality."[22]

Owing to Kim's initial reproductions of Goreyo era celadons, his early career path was similar to many contemporary ceramists like Yu Geun-hyeong. However, whereas most of his contemporaries stuck to reproducing historical Goreyo wares their entire careers, Master Kim pioneered new production methods and his own style. Master Kim's career path was closer to contemporary Shin Sang-ho who also turned away from traditional Goreyo wares to develop his own style. However, unlike Shin, who transitioned to reproducing Joseon era buncheong wares and then African themed non-celadon wares,[23] Master Kim's innovations held to two self-imposed rules:

  • to utilize only celadon glaze; and
  • to work according to traditional production methods only.[24]

Today, despite the arrival of electricity and modern machinery long ago, Kim still produces pottery through a laborious, manual process. After digging and sieving the clay, he allows it to age for up to 5 years.[25] It is then kneaded by hand and foot[11] the same way it has been done for centuries, before placing it on a traditional potter's kick-wheel. Kim claims, "Using feet allows finer and subtler control of the detail."[26] After completing decorative steps, he bisque fires his wares in a wood-fired kiln using pine slabs. After the celadon glaze is applied, the work is fired a second time in a reducing atmosphere.[11] Master Kim is known as being particular about the final product. He destroys up to 1/2 of his works even if their flaws are relatively insignificant.[26]

Openwork fragment from the Goryeo period with dull chrysanthemum flowers against celadon background.
Modern openwork vase with vivid white chrysanthemum flowers that drew inspiration from old.

Some of his works depict the four gracious plants commonly referred to as the Four Gentlemen (Sagunja 사군자). Other of his works focus on just one. Two frequent studies in sanggam (inlaid celadon) are a single branch of a plum tree laden with ume blossoms and an orchid.[27] Typically, the rest of the vase is left plain. The unadorned area has been described by one critic as having a "shining emptiness".[3] This style is very unlike the style adopted by other ceramists that tend to fill in the areas between plants with additional adornments in a style that is closer to horror vacui. Where all the adornment has been left off of a very round celadon work it is resembles a moon jar. Master Kim specifically titles some of his works moon jar's including his blue moon jar that was displayed in New York City in 2023.[27] He also uses the term moon jar, even if they are adorned provided they are shaped like a moon jar.

A large area of the work is covered with a slip and then etched away in a style called sgraffito. A frequent theme is a landscape scene featuring a rocky, forested mountain range covered in snow, with traditional buildings that have roofs laden under a heavy snowfall. When using a white slip, he has termed these types of works as being snowscapes and when using a black slip he termed them nightscapes.[28] As with most of Master Kim's innovations, it took years to perfect the technique. "I worked for 11 years to show you Mt. Kumgang, as my father wished, as seen from my hometown."[29]

His most recognizable style is his openwork pieces especially his double-openwork and triple-openwork pieces.[11] Double and triple openwork pieces begin with two individually thrown pieces for a double-wall work or three individually pieces for a triple-wall work.[30] After allowing the pieces to air dry and gain strength, the top half of the larger of the piece(s)s is cut open using a technique Master Kim pioneered that minimizes the chances of the piece being damaged while firing.[31] The smaller of the pieces, that helps supports the outer piece(s), is inserted. See external links demonstrating the method. Overall, Master Kim's method permits him to create larger and lighter works than throwing both pieces simultaneously.

He terms his openwork his "Nude" series. One critic describes it as being "a superlative rendering of technical dexterity, molded matrices of lineal elements charting across the ware's exterior, negative pockets of space in relief."[32]

Whereas, openwork featuring ume blossoms and chrysanthemums are "expressed delicately and precisely by hand and with a knife, one by one, without the slightest error."[21] In the case of his chrysanthemum series, each row of carved flowers grows precisely by 1mm (0.04 inches) or less in size from bottom to the mid-line and then decreases in size a similar amount approaching the top. After completing the carving step, each flower must be adorned with 12 shaped petals and a center (disk floret). This task is to a degree similar to a technique called shiro-chibu found in some modern kutani ware.[33] However, in the case of the Japanese ceramist the raised white dots are all an equal size. In the case of Master Kim, 12 of the applications have to be shaped like petals and orientated at a different angle around the center. Further, each set of petals and centers has to be the appropriate size for the flower depending upon its row.

Personal life

Kim met his wife, Lee Sae-dam, at the pottery he first joined where she worked as a potter.[34]

Sechang Artistic Ceramic Institute and teachings

Kim founded the Sechang Artistic Ceramic Institute (세창예술도자연구소)[35] in Icheon to disseminating his findings and train potters.

Major solo exhibitions

2006 From Earth to Light, Icheon City, South Korea

2023 Story of a Thousand Years: Master of Goryeo Celadon, Los Angeles and New York City[36]

2024 "Royal Celadons" by Sechang Kim Se-Yong and Kim Dohun Kate Oh Gallery New York City

References

  1. ^ "Story of a Thousand Years: Master of Goryeo Celadon". Korean Cultural Center New York. 2023-08-10. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  2. ^ "Kim Se-Yong (b.1946) - Vase". www.rct.uk. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  3. ^ a b 시민일보 Citizen Ilbo (2021-08-17). "I am Goryeo's 'Celadon'! [오치우의 인물채집] "나는 고려의 ′청자′다 !"". m.siminilbo.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  4. ^ a b Choi, Seung-hyeon. "無心으로 지핀 불가마에서 만다라를 굽다 :: 주간불교 Burning a mandala in a fire kiln made with no intention". m.bulgyonews.co.kr. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  5. ^ a b Hong, Chang-shin. "청자에 혼을 심는 도공 A potter who puts his soul into celadon". 언론사 뷰. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  6. ^ a b c Monthly Restaurant (월간식당). "Korea's master craftsman Se-chang Kim Se-yong". Naver.
  7. ^ JoongAng, Ilbo (1974-02-27). "Namgok Celadon Exhibition 남곡 청자전". 중앙일보 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-04-14.
  8. ^ Seong, Chang-hee. "Sechang master Kim Se-yong, life and soul captured in celadon for 50 years... Ceramic art blooms [명장을 찾아서] 세창 김세용 명장, 50년 청자에 담은 삶과 혼...도자예술 꽃 피우다:동아경제". www.daenews.co.kr. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  9. ^ Williams, David. "30 years of tourism research: a bibliography of Japanese tourism (1980~2009)" (PDF). Josai International University.
  10. ^ Hallyuism (2021-11-24). "The Tradition and History of Korean Pottery". Hallyuism. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  11. ^ a b c d Lim, Man-taek (2023-09-07). "MR O Commerce-Mirae Asset Securities hold September Finance & Art Tech Seminar Invitational! 엠알오커머스-미래에셋증권, 9월 금융 & 아트테크 세미나 초대전 개최!". 미디어피아 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-04-21.
  12. ^ 시민일보 Citizen Ilbo (2021-08-17). "I am Goryeo's 'Celadon'! [오치우의 인물채집] "나는 고려의 ′청자′다 !"". m.siminilbo.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  13. ^ "Korea's Master Craftsman Sechang Kim Se-yong Ceramic Exhibition 'From Earth to Light' [출처] 대한민국 명장 세창 김세용 도자전시회 '흙에서 빛으로'|작성자 푸른산빛". blog.naver.com. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
  14. ^ "Pandemic has worsened ceramic artists' agony". koreatimes. 2021-03-25. Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  15. ^ "Korean Crisis and Recovery". www.imf.org. Retrieved 2024-03-19.
  16. ^ a b Lee, Geun-young. "청자 도예가 김세용 명장 개인전 - 미주 한국일보 Solo exhibition of master celadon potter Kim Se-yong". dc.koreatimes.com (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  17. ^ "뉴욕문화원, 한미동맹 70주념 기념 고려청자 명장 특별전 화려한 막 올려". 한국문화홍보서비스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-03-18.
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ "Designers Party :". www.designersparty.com. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  20. ^ "[중앙시평] 법고창신(法古創新)". 중앙일보 (in Korean). 1999-12-06. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  21. ^ a b Seong, Chang-hee. "Sechang master Kim Se-yong, life and soul captured in celadon for 50 years... Ceramic art blooms [명장을 찾아서] 세창 김세용 명장, 50년 청자에 담은 삶과 혼...도자예술 꽃 피우다:동아경제". www.daenews.co.kr. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  22. ^ "Beop Go Chang Sin in Korean Ceramics 이칠용의 공예일기 : 네이버 블로그". blog.naver.com. Retrieved 2024-04-12.
  23. ^ "[ZOOM KOREA] Shin Sang-ho continues to mold a new path for Korean ceramics". koreajoongangdaily.joins.com. 2023-01-04. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
  24. ^ "Kim Se-Yong. Celadon conventions". www.meer.com. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
  25. ^ Hong, Chang-shin. "청자에 혼을 심는 도공 A potter who puts his soul into celadon". 언론사 뷰. Retrieved 2024-04-01.
  26. ^ a b From Earth to Light, Korean Ceramic Master Hand, Seyong Kim's Life, retrieved 2024-03-16
  27. ^ a b Ahn, Ji-young (2023-09-01). "<Reporter's Notebook> Super Blue Moon, Blue Purple Moon Jar, Moon Taryeong Again 수퍼블루문, 청자달항아리, 다시 달타령 – hinykorea". Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  28. ^ "Home". Kceramicmaster (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  29. ^ 시민일보 Citizen Ilbo (2021-08-17). "I am Goryeo's 'Celadon'! [오치우의 인물채집] "나는 고려의 ′청자′다 !"". m.siminilbo.co.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-04-18.
  30. ^ Yuk, Joo-hee. "50 years of art of earth and fire, ceramics is my destiny. Kim Se-yong, Korea's famous craftsman". month.foodbank.co.kr. Retrieved 2024-03-31.
  31. ^ From Earth to Light, Korean Ceramic Master Hand, Seyong Kim's Life, retrieved 2024-03-19
  32. ^ Erkan, Ekin (2023-12-20). "Kim Se-Yong. Celadon conventions". Meer. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  33. ^ "Kutani Aochibu & Shirochibu". MUSUBI KILN. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  34. ^ Berman, Lisa (2023-08-02). "Story of a Thousand Years - Master of Goryeo Celadon Ceramics exhibition in NYC". KGET 17. Retrieved 2024-03-17.
  35. ^ "세창도예연구소". www.scceladon.co.kr. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  36. ^ "뉴욕문화원, 한미동맹 70주념 기념 고려청자 명장 특별전 화려한 막 올려". 한국문화홍보서비스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-03-18.

YouTube video: Master Kim and his son demonstration making double-openwork vase.

Vase in Royal Collection Trust presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 1999

YouTube video: Korean Pottery "Story Of A Thousand Years" Episode 1

Sechan Artistic Ceramic Institute

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