Bird and Tree

The form was built up using both coils and slabs of clay. In this sculpture, the artist has covered the entire form with a first coat of dark coloured glaze and then applied, on some localised parts, other bright coloured glazes (yellow, green, purple). The contours of the motifs have been deeply incised using engraving tools. (a technique known as sgraffito). This decorative technique has been used in the past in Korean ceramic tradition on one particular type of the Punch’ong wares, from the Jeolla Province ca. fifteenth century. This piece is an example of how Korean contemporary artists reinterpret the old pun’chong tradition and combine it with their own research and contemporary vision. The form draws its inspiration from, sotdae, the wooden pillar with a bird carved on the top, traditionally found at the entrance of Korean villages to bring luck and ward off evil spirits.

The piece was shown as part of the exhibition Tradition Transformed ( from 20 May to 3 October 2011 at the V&A ). Tradition Transformed showcases the work of contemporary Korean ceramic artists who combine traditional methods with modern ingenuity and innovative techniques.