Clean, non-decorative and functional everyday objects were made and used as ethical propaganda in Korea’s last dynasty: the Joseon period that spanned 500 years (14th – 19thC). As a reaction to the previous dynasty’s rich and lavish culture, the new country was following the teachings of Confucius and advocating a modest way of living. The royal court used plain white porcelain ware whilst noble men and women preferred smaller, simpler, and fewer objects to display in their homes. The ‘luxury’ that endured however, was the use of exquisite materials and the fine craftsmanship that was required to remove impurities from raw materials to achieve a pristine surface.
Material properties bring subtle changes to the form - in those pre-industrial times where everything was man-made, traces of the human touch and the process remained on crafted objects. This evidence of the human on the works of this time brought a particular warmth and uniqueness to the otherwise simple everyday objects. It was in this period that the iconic Moon Jar came to the fore, gaining importance as a key representation of the Joseon aesthetic, demonstrating both minimalist and human qualities.
In recent years, whilst South Korea’s dynamic pop culture has become an international phenomenon, the country has seen a new movement, reviving the Joseon aesthetic in art and design. Designers, makers, and artists are finding inspiration from traditional forms, materials, processes and in traditional values of that dynastic period, holding these at the core of their contemporary practice. Some practitioners are dedicated to adopting the meditative mindset of the Joseon craftsmen as they work: emptying thoughts and desires to create pure and natural beauty.
For London Design Festival, Lloyd Choi Gallery will present Untold Beauty, exploring this new movement of Joseon aesthetics through the work of Korean artists and makers of today.
The line up of artists include Mok-su, Park Sung-wook, Kwak Hye-young, Kim Hyun-ju, Lee Geum-young, Lee So-ra, Jin-ju-yo, Yun-sun Won, Cho In-sung, Shin Sung-hyun, Hyun Tae-Ju, Shin Dong-beom.
This exhibition is presented as part of London Design Festival.
