Korean Craft at the Museum of Vancouver
January 1, 2010
In recognition of the special interest that the Republic of Korea and Canada have in one another’s craft practices, the Korean Museum of Craft has graciously loaned this selection of pieces for display in Vancouver’s celebration of craft. Developed by the Cheongju International Craft Biennale and curated by An, Seung Hyun, the work of 46 Korean artists are included in this exhibition. This forms one of the three parts to the larger Art of Craft exhibition which is on from January 14 to April 11, 2010.
'Spoon Carving', Kim, Joon Yong, Blown Glass, Silver Foil, Coldworked 16 cm dia. x 48 cm high
The Art of Craft celebrates the minds and hands which work together to bring beauty to everyday objects. The artists involved use traditional craft techniques to explore complex contemporary issues of identity and culture, meaning and metaphor. But the pieces still call to mind the ancient, bodily pleasures of craft making – plunging hands into clay, burnishing metal until smooth, exhaling breath into hot glass.
Korea stands at the epicentre of international craft production with its longstanding traditions and sophisticated contemporary craft artists. Since 1999, the Republic of Korea has supported craft by staging the International Craft Biennale, which brings together craft artists and their patrons from around the world.
In 2009, Canada had the honour of being selected as the featured nation at the Biennale. 207 Canadian craft artists were selected to display their works in a 10,000 square foot pavilion in Cheongju, Korea.
The Museum of Vancouver is honoured to display this collection of fine craft pieces from the Korean Craft Museum, organized by Canadian Crafts Federation.
Graphic Design for the exhibition by Resolve Design
