김세용 명장 개인전 'Royal Celadons'

1월 16일-2월 8일, 뉴욕 케이트오 갤러리 

 

“Royal Celadons”, January 16 - February 8, 2024, Kate Oh Gallery, NYC  https://www.kateohgallery.com

 

"고려비색 천하제일(高麗翡色 天下第一, The Best under Heaven, the Celadons of Korea)"

 -송나라 태평노인(太平老人), '수중금(袖中錦)' 중-

 

"하늘 아래 뛰어난 고려청자의 색만한 것이 없다."

맨해튼 어퍼이스트사이드의 케이트 오 갤러리(Kate Oh Gallery, 31 East 72nd St.)에서 1월 16일부터 2월 8일까지 세창(世昌) 김세용 (Kim Se-yong, 78) 명장의 개인전 'Royal Celadons'을 연다. 2002년 대한민국 명장(세라믹) 제 349호(청자 부문 최초)로 선정된 김세용 명장의 작품으로 고려비색의 아름다움, 흙과 불과 물의 조화로 고려청자의 정신을 계승해온 명장의 숨결과 정신을 감상할 수 있는 전시다. 

 

김세용 명장은 경기공업 고등학교 재학 중 국립 박물관에서 접한 도자기에 매료되어 도예가를 꿈꾸었다. 베트남전에 참전했던 그는 제대 후 1972년 경기도 이천에 자리한 신상호 도예가의 요장에서 도자기를 배웠고, 이후 남곡 고승술 명장을 사사했다. 1978년 이천에 세창도예연구소(Sechang Ceramic Art Gallery)를 설립한 김명장은 고려청자의 아름다움을 현대적으로 재해석한 ‘2중 투각(透刻) 기법’의 대가로 명성을 얻었다. 김 명장은 2017년 문화체육관광부의 화관문화훈장을 받았다.  

 

김세용 명장은 지난해 캘리포니아(풀러턴의 머켄탈러문화센터)와 뉴욕(한국문화원)에서 아들이자 전승자 김도훈 도자재료학 박사(Dr. Dohun Kim)와의 2인전 ‘천년의 이야기: 고려청자의 명장’(Story of a Thousand Years: Master of Goryeo Celadon)'을 열었다. 그의 작품은 청와대를 비롯 영국 황실, 티벳 달라이라마 왕궁 등에 20여점이 소장되어 있다. http://www.scceladon.co.kr   

 

 

Royal Celadons

 

January 16 - February 8, 2024

Kate Oh Gallery, NYC

 

Opening Reception: January 18, 2024 6-8 pm

Flute Performance by Jane Song

RSVP at info@kateohgallery.com or (646) 286-4575

 

 

The Resurrection of Holographic Isomorphism

 

 How does an ancient artform from the East survive in the contemporary jungle of Western abstraction? In the fluid and yet secure vases of Kim Se-Yong, the Kate Oh Gallery has outdone itself with exquisite resurrection of ancient artistic principles. The abstract here is not mere embellishments but portals to ontological truths of bygone eras. The quasi-holographic fragments, seen as isomorphic by Western observers, are, in essence, vessels of resurrection that infuse the celadon with the distillation of the formless.

 

Kim Se-Yong, a virtuoso whose creations find refuge in the sanctums of Queen Elizabeth of England, the Dalai Lama's Palace in India, and the Blue House in Seoul, is not just a potter; he is a steward of the oppressed tradition that unfolded during the Goryeo era (AD 918-1392). The celadon ceramics, once lost to the ravages of time, are resurrected through his caring hands.

 

Kim Se-Yong has manifestly drawn inspiration from the ancient Goryeo kingdom's legacy. In his upcoming exhibition at the Kate Oh Gallery, the vessels and vases go beyond mere artifacts; they embody a unique interplay of holographic energies.

 

For the Western viewer, it is paramount to keep in mind that celadon, far more than a visually appealing ceramic art form, contains a depth of cultural and metaphysical significance. Functioning as a keeper of historical consciousness, celadon becomes a tangible conduit linking contemporary observers to the customs, rituals, and everyday existence of ancient civilizations. The delicate beauty of celadon, enriched with intricate designs, trumps mere aesthetics; it beckons viewers to engage in reflective musings about the extended mereological tapestry of humanity's artistic legacy. 

 

As the celadon pieces rise in Kate Oh's posh Upper East Side gallery, the artist taps into the collective unconscious, channeling the spirits of the Goryeo royal family. His vessels become the vessels of historical memory, not merely relics of a past but conduits through which the irretrievable and the possible converge. This temporal convergence, reminiscent of Buddhist notions of impermanence, invites contemplation on the ephemeral nature of all phenomena.

 

In Kate Oh's show, Kim Se-Yong reaches utmost technical dexterity, overtaking the material confines of comparable Western counterparts. The intricate floral designs, reminiscent of Goryeo celadon's soft tinges and carved intricacies, become a meditation on the interconnectedness of all things. The negative pockets of space, carefully sculpted, echo the Buddhist concept of Sunyata – the emptiness that gives birth to form.

 

In his unwavering commitment to time-honored conventions and symbology, Kim Se-Yong becomes the postmodern guardian of an ancient order. His pieces become artifacts of isomorphic symbiosis, inviting us to dance within timeless rhythms and contemplate their holographic naturalism in the silent whispers of celadon.

 

About Kate Oh Gallery

Founded in 2017 by Kate Oh, the gallery is devoted to supporting artists who work in a range of media including works on paper and paintings to sculpture, performance, and installations. The mission of the gallery is to advocate for the work of both well-known as well as emerging artists through exhibitions and introduce them to collectors and the general public. The exhibition program is both diverse and inclusive, showcasing the works of artists around the world. Kate Oh Gallery aims to establish a broad range of partnerships that will create opportunities for artists to expand their practice. 

Kate Oh Gallery is located at 31 East 72nd Street on the corner of Madison Avenue. The gallery is open Tuesday-Sunday from 11-6 PM. For more information, please visit www.kateohgallery.com and follow us @kateohgallery on Instagram and Facebook. For inquiries and interview requests, please contact: info@kateohgallery.com, 646-286-4575.

Kate Oh Gallery is an exhibition space located on the Upper East Side of New York City.

 

Kate Oh Gallery

31 East 72nd St.

New York, NY 10021

https://www.kateohgallery.com