Ji-Woon Yang
Ceramicist
Icheon, South Korea
Gilding for impact
- Ji-Woon creates gilded ceramic objects in pursuit of mindful moments
- She enjoys working outside of conventional glaze rules to find her own path
- Her Full Moon Jar series is left permanently open to new ornamentation, so no piece is ever truly finished
Ji-Woon Yang has developed an original gold polished inlay technique, which she uses to add a shimmer of ornamentation to her pieces. She applies gold to near-finished ceramic works, in the spaces where the clay has dimpled, or to the areas she defines as the focal point of the object. "My intention is to craft vessels and cups for minimal usability, maximised decorativeness," she explains. The inlay technique complements her adventurous approach to glazing, which explores over-firing and under-firing to create additional visual effects. Ji-Woon has developed a Full Moon Jar series which she adds to on a continuous basis, gradually enriching pieces with gold and other touches. "The series began as an image of moonlight persisting through cloud, and became a personal metaphor for light surviving hardship," she says.
INTERVIEW
I apply gold over the surface and polish it, so that it glints along the natural lines left by the pressed clay. I developed this myself to create something entirely original, and use it across both functional ceramics and more artistic objects. My 2026 Full Moon Jar series uses a different technique with the same intention to push beyond conventional glaze rules to find harmony. I explore varied firing techniques, including over and under-firing.
Living spaces are already full of bowls and cups, so people do not buy pieces out of need. I like to focus on forming something creative out of a single moment. One cup of tea can form a still-life with the table, from my own actions. I aim for each piece to blend into someone's time and space rather than sit as an exhibit. My formula is Art + Life = Still-Life.
I try to capture emotion tied to memory rather than depict things directly. The series shows a moon veiled by morning sunlight, then emerging with a quiet silver glow once the clouds hide the sun. This is a metaphor for light persisting through my own difficult days, later turning vivid and golden in darkness. I hope it offers comfort and encouragement to others.
I revisit a feeling from a moment when image and emotion merge, then express it as an ornament. I do not plan every stage, but rather work one step at a time, leaving pieces in my studio to be observed over several days and moods. I will add ornaments and firing repeatedly. Because of this, the Full Moon Jar series may never be truly finished.
Ji-Woon Yang
Ceramicist
Icheon, South Korea
ADDRESS
Address upon request, Icheon, South Korea
AVAILABILITY
By appointment only
PHONE
+82 1091393600
LANGUAGES
Korean
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