Gwangju City Successfully Concludes "Gwangju Royal International Ceramic Symposium"... Exploring the Future Direction of Royal Ceramics

Gwangju City in Gyeonggi Province held the "2025 Gwangju Royal International Ceramic Symposium" on the 24th at the Grand Ballroom Hall of Gonjiam Resort.

Gwangju City held the "2025 Gwangju Royal International Ceramic Symposium" on the 24th at the Grand Ballroom Hall of Gonjiam Resort. Provided by Gyeonggi Gwangju City

This symposium, hosted by Gwangju City and organized by the Dankook University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, was established to re-examine the historical significance and identity of Gwangju royal ceramics and to explore future development strategies. Ceramic experts from around the world-including the United States, Singapore, T?rkiye, China, Japan, and Taiwan-participated, expanding the scope of international academic exchange.

The event featured high-level presentations and in-depth discussions under the theme of "The Future of Royal White Porcelain." In his keynote speech, Baek Jeongho, Chairman of the Gwangju Royal Ceramic Business Cooperative, reviewed the past, present, and future of Gwangju royal ceramics and emphasized the need for a systematic development strategy for Gwangju to reestablish itself as the center of royal ceramics.

During the subsequent thematic presentations, a variety of perspectives were shared by domestic and international experts, including: Professor Kim Myungseon of Dankook University's Department of Ceramics on the modernization of Gwangju white porcelain; Professor Kim Saenghwa of Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts on the past and present of Chinese white porcelain in the global context; a professor from Arizona State University's Department of Ceramics on the horizons and possibilities of American white porcelain; Professor Denz Onur German Hazettepe of Hacettepe University on the flow from Joseon royal kilns to contemporary Turkish white porcelain; Theo Hui Min, co-founder of The Potter's Guilt Singapore, on the intersection of materials, records, and production in white porcelain; artist Matsumura Jun on white porcelain as a cognitive and cultural medium; and Lee Siwha, head of Hwa Ceramic Studio, on mythological forms, the world of color, and the reinterpretation of white porcelain.

Following the thematic presentations, a panel discussion was moderated by Professor Lee Bandi of Dankook University's Department of Ceramics. The discussion featured Chairman Baek Jeongho, Professor Han Jeongyong of Seoul National University, Professor Choi Jiman of Sookmyung Women's University, Distinguished Professor Lee Injin of Dankook University, Visiting Professor Cho Ilmook of Dankook University, Professor Choi Eunghan of Dankook University, and Professor Park Jeonggeun of Dongduk Women's University, who engaged in an in-depth debate on ways to enhance the identity and brand value of royal ceramics.

Based on the opinions presented at this international ceramic symposium, the city plans to develop specific policies to foster the ceramic industry, including collaboration with professional research institutions, expanding local-academic networks, and strategies to attract young ceramic artists.

Mayor Bang Sehwan stated, "I hope that the broad discussions on the history and future of royal ceramics will serve as an opportunity to elevate the international standing of Gwangju's ceramic industry."

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