Born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, I discovered my passion for art at a young age. As a quiet and introspective child, art became a natural language for me. I received my B.F.A. and M.F.A. in Ceramics from Hongik University before relocating to the United States, where I continued my studio practice.
Currently based in Athens, Georgia, I work as a full-time studio potter alongside my husband, who is also a ceramic artist. In addition to my studio work, I occasionally teach and lead workshops, and I participate in national and international artist residencies, which continue to shape and inform my practice. My work is exhibited through galleries and shows nationally.
My work reflects a deep engagement with emotion, memory, and observations of life and human nature, conveyed through the raw, expressive potential of clay.
Artist Statement
I am drawn to the spontaneous lines, forms, spaces, and objects I encounter in worlds shaped by both nature and human hands, intrigued by their depth, character, and the traces that emerge over time. This quiet transformation continues to shape my visual language.
I am deeply inspired by aspects of Korean traditional ceramics, especially their simplicity, vitality, depth, and imperfection. This beauty — which requires time, mastery of technique, an understanding of materials, and respect for the spontaneity of the process — guides and motivates my work.
Pots, though inanimate, can carry their own vitality when well-crafted, possessing a presence that feels almost alive. Since the moment I was moved by sensing the vitality in a vessel, I have sought to embody this sense of life in my work.
Balance and harmony are central to my creative process — not only as visual elements of color, line, and form, but as quiet forces shaping space, time, energy, movement, emotion, perception, and intention. They hold elements together in a dynamic equilibrium.
Spontaneity and vitality, grounded in this balance and harmony, lie at the heart of my work. In recent years, I have primarily worked with coarse, dark, unrefined wild clay. On this textured surface, I apply layers of white slips rich in iron oxide, then finish with multiple colored glazes. Firing at high temperatures in a reduction atmosphere enhances the subtle interplay of materials. My process is intuitive and immediate, balancing control with openness to the unexpected.
Tree imagery is a constant presence in my work — not as literal representations, but as metaphoric forms that shape both visual and emotional spaces, evoking the essence of one’s true self as a fundamental human being. These forms serve as a subtle, silent language through which I explore the complexities of human experience, delving into our deep connections to origins, essence, and our place within the world.
Through the act of making, I feel, reflect, and seek meaning. This process draws me closer to our shared humanity — and may the solidarity of empathy be a source of strength for us all.
