Inspiration in a moon jar
South Korean museums present old and modern white porcelain along with artworks inspired by their beauty
The pure simplicity of moon jars from the Joseon period (1392-1910) has inspired generations of Korean artists, including the pioneer of abstract art Kim Whanki.
Three exhibitions this highlight the beauty and value of white porcelain together with the modern artwork inspired by them.
Gana Art Centre displays seven of 20 remaining moon jars in the world. Moon jars are a type of white porcelain vessel that is more than 40 centimetres tall, and made between the late 17th and 18th centuries. Their simple shape and white colour signify Confucian values prevalent in the Joseon era such as frugality and purity. Those on display at the gallery date back to the 18th century. Three of them are registered as South Korean national treasures.
The exhibition offers a refined visual balance between moon jars and artist Oh Soo-hwan’s paintings. Known for abstract calligraphy painting, Oh displays dynamic, expressive calligraphic brushwork on the canvas.
Modern and contemporary artwork inspired by moon jars are also on view in “Admiration of White Porcelain” at the Seoul Museum. In the exhibition, Kim, Do Sang-bong, Sohn Eung-seong and other modern masters present their paintings highlighting the refined contour, meditative beauty and spirituality of moon jars.
Contemporary artists began to portray the beauty of moon jars in an innovative and bold manner from 2000. Sohn Seok’s “hologram” painting is a fresh take. He creates a three-dimensional image of moon jars using layers of paint in different colours on a canvas. Three paintings, each featuring one big moon jar, are displayed.
Two sets of photographs interpret white porcelain differently. Artist Koo Bon-chang displays photographs of white porcelain as an antiquity that has been preserved for more than 100 years. Noh Se-hwan’s photographs capture white porcelain still in use – dishes that serve food at a local Chinese restaurant.
The Korea Ceramic Foundation exhibits white porcelain made by modern ceramists and moon jar-inspired artworks by contemporary artists at the traditional craft centre in the Gonjiam Ceramic Park in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province.
The exhibition celebrates the province’s 600-year tradition of ceramic making. Joseon kings and their families used ceramic goods produced in the province.
Modern white porcelain works are on sale at the exhibition in an aim to popularise them.
VISION IN WHITE
The Gana Art Center exhibition continues through August 17. Both the Seoul Museum and the Korea Ceramic Foundation continue their displays through August 31.
Find out more awww.GanAart.com, ww.SeoulMuseum.org for Seoul Museum or call the Korea Ceramic Foundation at (+ 82 31) 799 1500.
