In September I returned to South Korea, this time to Ulsan to attend the Onggi Expo as a Guest Foreign Master Potter, and as the only woman in this group. It was humbling and exciting to work alongside some of Korea’s great potters, all of whom I consider to be among the best in the world. The Expo was also a great opportunity to meet other ceramic artists from around the world as well as potters from various regions of South Korea. Since my previous visit to South Korea in 2009 the Korean people and culture have held an important place in my heart, so it was wonderful to reconnect with old friends and start new friendships, too.
In addition to working alongside the masters and working in Onggi Clay (a clay unique to South Korea used to build kimchi pots and other items), I also gave a lecture entitled “American Earthenware – A Western Point of View” about the development of earthenware in the United States, especially from the Southwest and Western regions of the U.S.
Also, while at the Expo, I exhibited several earthenware burnished pieces and a gold leaf tile that I imprinted with a fig leaf (photo to the left). These items were exhibited at the Onggi Gallery as part of the Invitation Exhibition.