| A while ago I found this amazing documentary about Lee Kang-hyo, a very well known Korean potter, master of the "Onggi" technique. This Korean technique allows a potter to create either small or very large jars in a remarkably short time. Lee Kang-Hyo usually works on several jars at a time. After his training with Korean master Hwang Mal-su, Lee Kang-Hyo would produce 20 big pieces or more each day. In this documentary by the Goldmark Gallery, we follow him in his studio while he talks about life, work and energy. Seeing how he balances his production with meditation, dance and exercise is really inspiring. In his 40's, he realized he was physically tired, he felt like he "had become a slave to ceramics". So he went away for a few months to meditate, reflect on his goals, on life. In doing so, he has been able to stay connected to the material, the clay. |
During the last 10 minutes of the video, we can see him decorating one of his giant jars. Because of the size of the pot, his whole body is involved in the painting. Stimulated by some rhythmic music, he dances around the jar, throwing some colours, mixing them. There is so much energy in that specific moment, so much spontaneity, it is beautiful. As he says, each piece of his work reflects his feeling at a specific moment. Sometimes, he has this very intense energy, but sometimes it is more peaceful, slow. Even when working on smaller pieces, this driving force is here, and manifest itself in the form of patterns or brush strokes.
You can see more of his work on the Goldmark gallery's website.
You can see more of his work on the Goldmark gallery's website.