Korean Ceramic Artists at Grand Valley State University as Artists-in-Residence. October 05, 2008

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1 Korean Ceramic Artists at Grand Valley State University as Artists-in-Residence October 05, 2008

2 "Separation as Together: Soonjung Hong and Eunmee Lee, Korean Ceramists" Eunmee Lee, left, and Soonjung Hong, right Hong and Lee live and work together in Heyri, a village in the Paju Province of Korea. Both artists earned bachelor's degrees from the College of Fine Arts Ewha Womans University in Seoul, Korea, and master's degrees from the Graduate School of Ewha Womans University, also in Seoul

3 Grand Valley State University Art Gallery's "Separation as Together: Soonjung Hong and Eunmee Lee,Korean Ceramists" was the culmination of the university's inaugural International Ceramic Workshop and six-week artist-in-residency program. It started when Hoon Lee, GVSU's ceramics program coordinator, and Henry Matthews, its director of galleries and collections, traveled to Korea in 2007 in search of ideal candidates for what would become the Ceramics Artist-In- Residency Program. They attended ceramics conferences, prominent ceramics residency programs, galleries and private artists' studios throughout the country.

4 Together, Eunmee Lee and Soonjung Hong attended the Istituto Statale d'arte per la Ceramica in Faenza, Italy. Their work is celebrated throughout Korea, China and the United States, where the artists often join forces along the gallery circuit. Works by both have appeared in competitive juried shows around the globe. Hong and Lee employ contrasting styles, but both artists blend ancient Korean techniques with modern ideas. When shown together, their work tends to encapsulate the scope of ceramics as a medium. Hong shapes delicate objects, while Lee enjoys molding rough, massive installation work. The ceramists arrived at GVSU in mid-august to begin working with art students. Soonjung Hong and Eunmee Lee goal was to inject the ceramics program with a hands-on, collaborative experience for students. It is a time to share ideas and inspirations, creating work and participating in an intensive discourse about contemporary art within a supportive learning environment where relationships are mutually reinforcing. All of the items showcased in "Separation as Together" were hand-crafted inside GVSU's art department. The artists and students shared in the creation process.

5 Project Concept: Create a coil which physically records time, length, and ideas from GVSU Art Gallery to Calder Art Center

6 Ceramic students and visiting artists spent the day rolling out a ½ mile coil writing messages into the coil

7 After eight hours and 600 pounds of rolling and writing, the coiled sculpture was moved into the ceramic studio to dry and fire. The sculpture is a featured part in the collection at the Calder Art Center.

8 ISCAEE Symposium 2009 Korea World Ceramic Art Jamboree Date: April 25, 2009 May 1, 2009 Venue: Yeoju World Livingware Gallery, Yeoju (April 25 29) Sponsor: Icheon World Ceramic Center, Icheon (April 30-May 1) Organizer: World Ceramic Exposition Foundation (WOCEF) Supporters: Curatorial Department, WOCEF ISCAEE Symposium 2009 Korea Executive Committee: Kangnam University, Seoul National University of Technology The International Society for Ceramic Art Education and Exchange (ISCAEE) Symposium 2009 Korea was held under the sponsorship of the World Ceramic Exposition Foundation (WOCEF) at the main venues for the fifth World Ceramic Biennale 2009 Korea, from April 25 to May 1, The Symposium was consist of six programs: Student Ceramic Art Project Workshop, ISCAEE Seminar, ISCAEE Ceramic Exhibition, Professional Artist Workshop, Clay Art Film Festival and Outdoor Firing Demonstration.

9 2009 GVSU CERAMICS FASA PROGRAM The ISCAEE (International Society for Ceramic Art Education and Exchange) Symposium and The 5th World Ceramic Biennale Conference are events that the GVSU Ceramics FASA Program participated in while in Korea. Additional venues included GVSU & SNUT (Seoul National University of Technology) Ceramics Collaborative Project(s), GVSU & SWU (Seoul Womenʼs University) Ceramics Forum and Ceramic Artist Studio & Museum Visits.

10 The students participated in the symposium and the conference. ISCAEE Symposium / The 5th World Ceramic Biennale Conference / Ceramic Artist Studios & Museums: Through participating in the ISCAEE symposium, attending the World Ceramic Biennale Conference, and visiting various ceramic artistsʼ studios and museums, students gained a better understanding of what international contemporary ceramic art is. They become aware of the role of ceramics within the contemporary art world, the craft community, and in societies of diverse cultures. The students were exposed to a variety of new materials and techniques in ceramic art. Students gained a broader knowledge of materials that supports ceramic art production including but not limited to clay bodies, glazes, kilns, tools, etc. Students learned new techniques/methods of ceramic art making from demonstrations, exhibitions, etc. which compliment their current means of creation. GVSU & SNUT (Seoul National University of Technology) Ceramics Collaborative Project & GVSU & SWU (Seoul Womenʼs University) Ceramics Forum: Resources & Networks: Students fostered new ceramic directions by making acquaintances with established international ceramic artists as well as prominent representatives of international ceramics university programs. Students will find and accumulate information about potential career opportunities, at the international level, to pursue upon graduation. These may include but are not limited to Graduate programs, Artist in Residency positions, Apprenticeships, Internships, Special Student positions, Gallery work, etc. Through participating in the collaborative projects with different universities, students gained an understanding of where they and their work fit within the realm of international contemporary ceramics. They will also have a better understanding of the role of a ceramic artist within the contemporary art world. Lastly, the students determined what their responsibilities were as a ceramic artist within their respective community.

11 The primary benefit of the GVSU Ceramics FASA program is that the students were able to observe, converse and collaborate with established international artists as well as diverse international students as they process ideas from conception to completion. This experience aided in the Ceramics program development as well as allowed for further research regarding the GVSU Ceramics Visiting Artist-In-Residency Program (CAIR) and Michigan Ceramic Art Association (MCAA) Michigan Mud conference. The CAIR Program is designed to edify studentsʼ intellectual curiosity, aesthetics, professionalism and social conscience. The GVSU Ceramics program will host 2009 MCAA Michigan Mud conference in the Fall of GVSU received positive feedback from SNUT during past visits and as a result, in Summer 2007, Dae-Jin Kim, Director of the International Program from SNUT visited GVSU and signed a Memorandum of Understanding. Though establishing an international student exchange program has proven difficult to negotiate due to systemic differences, in Fall 2008 a SNUTʼs English major student came to GVSU as an exchange student. Recently, SNUT and SWU encouraged the GVSU Ceramics program to collaborate as well as discuss future projects.

12 We believe that GVSU Ceramics FASA program will enhance and sustain the relationships between GVSU & SNUT/SWU. One of the most dramatic contributions to a society comes from visual enrichment, which often leads to a new understanding and questioning of our role in society. The GVSU Ceramics FASA program cultivates cultural diversity within the community at large. It also offers an opportunity for collaboration with the GVSU Interdisciplinary Study Program. Hoon Lee: Ceramics Program Coordinator, Assistant Professor Department of Art & Design, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Grand Valley State University (616) leeho@gvsu.edu Daniel L. Bare, Ceramic Instructor Department of Art & Design, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Grand Valley State University (616) bared@gvsu.edu

13 Future Interest: Developing relations in DeHua, China Artist in Residency Opportunity to live and work in rural China learning the traditions of Chinese ceramic art. Daniel L. Bare Wall Cup & Saucer Post consumer objects and glaze 2009