'Prototype of Old Jeju Onggi' Gongjinwon, Restoration Exhibition of Jeju Onggi's Golden Age

From November 29 to December 18, Insadong KCDF Gallery

An exhibition gathering various works that revive the original form of old Jeju Onggi will be held in one place.

The Korea Craft & Design Foundation (KCDF, President Jang Dong-kwang) announced on the 28th that the exhibition "Restoration of Prime Jeju-Onggi" by the 'Jeju Onggi Restoration Sunul-eumje', selected in the group category of the 2023 KCDF Craft & Design Contest, will be held from the 29th to December 18th at the KCDF Gallery 1 Exhibition Hall (3rd floor) in Insadong.

Kim Jeong-geun's Yellow Bowl Heobeok. [Photo provided by Korea Craft & Design Foundation]

The exhibition theme is ‘Restoration of Prime Jeju-Onggi’, featuring 22 artists from various fields interested in Jeju Onggi, including Jeju Intangible Cultural Heritage Onggi Master Kim Jeong-geun, Jeju Ceramic Master Kang Seung-cheol, potter Oh Hyang-jong, and emerging artists, who have submitted numerous works through the Jeju Onggi Restoration Sunul-eumje.

Jeju Onggi is characterized by the transmission of Onggi techniques from the Jeolla region since the mid-Joseon period, adapted to Jeju Island’s volcanic terrain environment by not applying ash water.

Most of Jeju’s stones, such as basalt and rhyolite, are volcanic rocks with many pores despite low fire resistance, making them resistant to thermal shock and excellent in insulation, which allowed the production of stone kilns for firing.

Yellow bowl flowerpot by Park Ji-won. [Photo by Korea Craft & Design Foundation]

Through Jeju Onggi, visitors can glimpse the community culture of ‘Sunol-eum’?the cooperative work of Jeju people who overcame the island’s limited environment to build their lives. Jeju Onggi traditionally produced and used on Jeju Island mainly stored beverages, drinking water, and grain seeds.

Choi Jae-il, head of the Craft Division at KCDF, said, "'Jeju Onggi Restoration Sunul-eumje' was planned to approach the original form closely by supplementing important technical factors of Jeju Onggi such as kiln slope and firing techniques. We hope this exhibition, involving various generations of craftsmen including Jeju Intangible Cultural Heritage holders, emerging artists, and mid-career artists, will serve as nourishment to restore and develop the original form of Jeju Onggi."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.