Yoonjee Kwak

Yoonjee Kwak – guest artist

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Yoonjee Kwak creates sculptural vessels and is recently exploring fired clay painting, pushing the boundaries of craft to deepen the expressive language of her art. Rooted in Korean culture, her vessels symbolize the human spirit, drawing from the Korean metaphor that describes one’s character as a “vessel” of tolerance and depth. Kwak’s process is an interactive dialogue with clay—she patiently builds coil by coil, leaving intentional hand marks that capture the passage of time and memory. This meditative approach extends into her clay paintings, where repetitive patterns and controlled brushstrokes gather and preserve moments, linking both practices through material and intention. 

 

Originally from South Korea, Kwak is an artist and educator who has participated in numerous artist residencies and workshops, exhibiting her work internationally. She was a long-term resident at the Archie Bray Foundation (2017–2019) and Pottery Northwest (2021– 2022). Kwak holds an MFA in Ceramics from the Rochester Institute of Technology (2014) and a BFA in Ceramics and Glass from Hong-Ik University in Seoul (2012). She has received prestigious honors, including the James Renwick Alliance Chrysalis Award and the Emerging Artist Award from Ceramics Monthly. Her work has been featured in major international biennials, including exhibitions in Icheon and Chungju, Korea, and Jingdezhen, China. 

 

 Clay serves as a medium for narrating the remnants of memories, forged through diverse and unpredictable relationships with others and myself. These memories manifest in my work through precarious and fragile forms, exploring the delicate balance between weakness and strength. 

 

The core of my artistic endeavors consists of sculptural vessels, chosen to symbolize human beings as iconic representatives of Korean culture. In Korea, the metaphorical use of "vessel" in describing one's personality reflects a spirit of tolerance. For example, a generous or broadminded person is often described as having a "big vessel." The vessel's structure, widening gradually from a narrow base, metaphorically signifies the spectrum of human relationships — deep, shallow, or simultaneous. 

 

My exploration of this theme draws inspiration from minimalism, nature, and geometry. Organic and architectural elements converge in the structure of my open vessels, serving as metaphors for individuals interacting with their external character. An open vessel suggests genuine connections with the environment, representing various depths of personal relationships. Additionally, the integration of natural and arboreal shapes intends to illustrate connections with nature, using these occurrences as both metaphorical and literal references for human relationships. Just as nature thrives on the interaction of its parts, humans find existence in interconnected relationships, mirroring the laws of nature. 

 

My preference for hand-building techniques stems from the directness of the fabricating process, preserving evidence of my physical interactions with clay. This interactive dialogue with the material is essential to my process. As I slowly construct clay coils from the base, my hand marks endure on the surface, capturing elements of movement, time, and emotion. The inherent beauty of coil-building lies in its ability to reveal progressive growth throughout the artistic journey, akin to nurturing a plant from seedling to blossom. Just as a plant requires water, sunshine, and time to flourish, my works demand patience and time. By incorporating memories of patience and time into the very fabric of my pieces, I create a meaningful record of my artistic practice. 

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