Art scholars traveled across continents to introduce Korean and Chinese art to Americans on Thursday as part of a new exhibition at Jackson State University.
Ceramics scholar Dr. Dong Hun Chung, head professor in the Department of Ceramics and Doctoral Program at WonKwang University in Korea, led the delegation from Korea and China.
He was the lead lecturer at the College of Business auditorium, as part of the American, Korean and Chinese Group Exhibition that opened Thursday at the College of Liberal Arts Gallery on the first floor of the Dollye M.E. Robinson Building.
The show that features dozens of works, including ceramics, textiles and oil paintings, some never before seen in America, runs through Feb. 25. The works then will become part of JSU’s permanent art collection.
Chung was introduced by Hyun Chong Kim, JSU professor of art and ceramics, who curated the show for the Art Department. Chung spoke on the status of contemporary ceramics in Korea, starting his talk with slides of works of art that have existed for more than 1,000 years.
They included intricate and fragile sculptures, earthen ware, Buddhist incense burners, kimchi cooking jars, carvings of birds and fish, cobalt paintings on vessels of water, fisherman, mountains and clouds, and other works.
Much of his talk revolved around his international travels in researching the firing of ceramics in kilns, using both traditional methods with wood and modern use of gas and electric heat. “An artist must understand the process of fire!” he said.
He also explained how his method of art therapy evolved — from handing his elderly mother a piece of clay and “her eyes got so bright trying to make something.” That led to his experimentation in working with children — including developmentally disadvantaged — to nurture self-expression and mental health.
Therapy, he said, can include paint, and he showed children splashing in paint, and rolling in it. “You don’t have to use a brush,” he said. “You can use your body.”
His techniques led to hundreds attending his annual summer events from 2002-2010 to share experiences and learn fundamentals. He has written several textbooks on ceramics published in Korea.
Chung shared the podium with Fang Man, an art professor at Jingdezhen College, and senior ceramic artist, from Jiangxi Province in China.
Man spoke on Chinese art, tracing its development through the centuries.
Chung said that he brought the professors and some doctoral students in order to introduce Chinese and Korean art to America and in hopes of developing exchange programs and “sisterships” with other universities.
He arrived in Washington, D.C., Jan. 5, and has met with other scholars in San Francisco and Las Vegas.
Wang Xing Quing, an associate professor of design at Hengshui University in Hebei Province in China, said through an interpreter that this is first time in America and he has been impressed by the beautiful scenery and hospitality of the people.
He visited with scholars at Stanford University before traveling here, he said.
He said he hopes to share ideas about how to make ceramics and how ceramics can be used as an artistic way of communication.
For more information about the exhibit, call Kim at 601.979.2395 or email hyun.chong.kim@jsums.edu
