Heon Suk Hong

Studio Ceramic & Paper

Ceramicist

©Heon Suk

Ceramics with an oriental touch

Heon Suk sticks to a simple palette of colours, representing the universal elements
She is influenced by Eastern culture – where she was born and raised, and the West – where she now lives
Her favourite techniques are the moulding and coiling

Specialised in making porcelain vases with varied designs and decorated with straight lines or simple shapes, Heon Suk Hong usually works with five main colours. They are the colours that represent the five universal elements in Korea, her native country: air, fire, water, metal and earth. She studied philology in Seoul and after working as a cultural journalist for Korean craft magazines, she trained as a ceramicist at the Francisco Alcántara School of Art and the Moncloa School of Ceramics in Madrid, Spain, where she currently lives. When she discovered the infinite possibilities that clay gave her from a creative point of view, she began to work with passion. This work allows her to connect with herself, express herself and feel happy.

Interview

©Heon Suk

©Heon Suk

When and how did you start?: Since I was a child, I liked to draw and make things with my hands, but I didn't have the opportunity to learn in a formal and professional way until I arrived in Spain, 20 years ago. I started ceramics in a cultural centre as a hobby and then I immediately got hooked and went to the official ceramics school where I trained for seven years.
What are your sources of inspiration?: Years ago, I was fascinated by a collection of 17th century white porcelain in the National Museum of South Korea – I loved it for its beauty, simplicity, honesty and sense of emptiness. I have been inspired by its shapes, colours and philosophy over time.
How do you express tradition and innovation in your work?: I love to observe traditional ceramics, especially their forms and expression. I like to redesign traditional Korean ceramics and add some modern and simple touch.
Anything about your work that people don't normally know?: I work with another material, Korean mulberry paper – making figures and collages – although I spend more time on ceramics. I started in a self-taught way because of the nostalgia of my country when I arrived in Spain. Clay and paper are two materials that fascinate me and I also see the possibility of fusion pieces of the two materials.

Heon Suk Hong is a rising star: she began her career in 2018 and she started teaching in 2021