MAENG WOOKJAE
I concentrate on art as a vehicle to communicate contemporary social and environmental problems to the viewer by stimulating, not just emotion, but sensibilities and memories. In this regard, ‘stimulus’ plays an import role in the expression of my work and in its perception by the viewer. Visually or sensually appropriate stimuli evoke curiosity in the viewer and their desire to grasp the inner meanings of the work. Within this process the viewer not only intellectually comprehends the work but also viscerally appreciates it if their preconceptions are challenged or senses other than sight are stimulated. This three dimensional appreciation-which engages the viewer both physically and sensually-I believe conveys the message of a work on a deeper level. In our environment, numerous creatures live in harmony. Yet there are other creatures that merely exist without enjoying their natural right due to human classification and negligence. I would like to express the nature of the relationship between human and other creatures-a relationship that, in other to thrive, demands careful coexistence and balance between the urban and the natural, for example, and an awareness and empathy for less visible creatures. In my work I hope to provide an opportunity-however brief-for modern man to consider the realities of the environment in which he exists, even as he continues his daily existence indifferent to it.
EDUCATION
2008 M.F.A, Ceramics, H.D.K. Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden. 2003 M.F.A, Ceramics, Kyunghee University, Yongin, Korea. 2001 B.F.A, Ceramics, Kyunghee University, Yongin, Korea. 2002 Special Course, Glass Design, Graduate School of Art & Fusion Design, Kyunghee University, Yongin, Korea.
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2012 The Grey Forest, Topohaus, Seoul. Korea 2009 Priceless, Gana Art Space, Seoul, Korea. 2006 Relations, The apple house, International Ceramic Research Center, Denmark. 2006 With Wildlife, Other Gallery, The Banff Centre, Banff, Canada.
RECENT GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2014 Craft Platform, culturestationseoul284, Seoul, Korea 2014 No Boundaries, KwanhoonGallery, Seoul, Korea 2014 Cross+Over Milal Museum of Art, Seoul, KoreaOriental Ceramic Exhibition Icheon World 2014 Ceramic Center, Icheon, KoreaZona Maco Art Fair Mexico city, Mexico 2013 Focus Korea, Mindy Solomon Gallery, Miami, Florida, U.S.A 2013 Hot Rookies, Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale 2013, Icheon, Korea 3TEDS, Kwanhoon Gallery, Seoul, Korea 2013 Ceramic Art: Today’s Story for Tomorrow Haegang Ceramic Museum, Icheon, Korea 2013 Combination of Brown Eyes, Williams Tower Gallery, Houston, Texas, U.S.A 2013 East&West, Hunterdon Art Museum, Clinton, New Jersey, U.S.A Not A Ceramic, Space K, Seoul, Korea 2013 Cross+Over, Yido Gallery, Seoul, Korea International Art&Design Exhibition, Hanjeon Art Center, Seoul, Korea 2013 No Boundaries, Hanjeon Art Center, Seoul, Korea 2013 Oriental Ceramic Exhibition, KF Gallery, Seoul, Korea 2013 A New Perspective on Korean Celadon, Buan Celadon Museum, Buan, Korea 2012 Shanghai Contemporary Art Fair, Shanghai, China 2012 Texas Contemporary Art Fair, Houston, Texas, U.S.A 2012 Detailed Information, Mindy Solomon Gallery, St. Petersburg, Flolida, U.S.A 2012 International Art&Design Exhibition, Insa Art Center, Seoul, Korea 2012 Oriental Ceramic Exhibition, Icheon World Ceramic Center, Icheon, Korea 2012 Convergence, Yangpyeong Art Museum, Yangpyeong, Korea 2012 Kyunghee Potter’s Group Exhibition, A&D Gallery, Yongin, Korea 2012 T.E.D, Gallery Dam, Seoul, Korea 2012 Gil-But, Kyungin Gallery, Seoul, Korea 2012 Color.Color.Color, Haegang Ceramic Art Museum, Ichon, Korea
COLLECTIONS
The Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, Montana, U.S.A International Ceramic Research Center (Guldagergaard), Skælskør , Denmark The Banff Centre for The Art, Banff, Alberta, Canada The International Ceramics Studio, Kecskemet, Hungary Han Hyang Lim Ceramic Museum, Heyri Artvalley, Korea No Gun Ri Peace Memorial Hall, Youngdong-gun, chungcheongbuk-do, Korea Korea Ceramic Foundation, Icheon, Korea
RESIDENCE
2007 The International Ceramics Studio, Kecskemet, Hungary. 2006 International Ceramic Research Center, Guldagergaard, Denmark. 2005-2006 The Banff Centre for The Art, Banff, Alberta, Canada. 2003 The Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, Montana, U.S.A.Exhibition