This 8th ONE PIECE OF ART project introduces the work of ceramic artist KIM MYUNG-JOO, with the theme of the head series.

 

Through her unique ceramic sculpture method, KIM focuses on phenomena she encounters by chance or on emotions elicited from within. In the process, the artist explores the essence of her own emotions and captures that process in her work through accidental or impromptu gestures. In the organic connection between awareness and unconsciousness, dramatic situations that are difficult to discern but immerse one in are engraved in her works as if recorded. As if drawing a picture, we build it up through the flexibility of the soil, connect the exterior and interior spaces, and wait for the soil to harden, repeating this process several times. The actions of adding color to the surface of the clay, scratching it with a tool, or adding a clay plate connect the empty inner surface of the work to the external space and fill in the traces. Rather than reproducing a specific shape, the focus is on the essence or process of something appearing.

 

The title of THE ONE PIECE OF ART, <Subito p-immersion>, is a musical term that means playing intensely and then suddenly playing quietly. KIM metaphorically evokes her emotions to immerse herself in new emotions or take her to a new level. The work through that process expresses the moment of searching for something. The work, <Tête pensive VI (Head in thought VI)>, has an unclear facial shape but attracts strong attention. Traces of glaze flowing and curves on the surface create a solid visual shape. In this way, the work has enough tension to create an immersion atmosphere. The space where the work is placed is also a part of the work, and the tension in the space itself is also connected to the work through a long period of interaction—the attraction to the unknown leads to encountering new phenomena and repeatedly moving to another unexpected space. KIM MYUNG-JOO tells stories about the various existences of human life through faces that are not simply visible but reveal multiple images and emotions.

 

KIM MYUNG-JOO graduated from the Department of Ceramic Art at Hongik University and received M.F.A degree in Arts plastiques, visuels et de l’espace, Ceramic (Grande distintion), École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Visuels de La Cambre, Brussels, Belgium.

 

Currently lives and works in Korea and Europe.

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