YoonJee Kwak

—Born Republic of Korea

EDUCATION

2007 Fine Arts Track, Kaywon High School of Art, Bundang, South Korea

2011 BFA Ceramics and Glass, Hong-Ik University, Seoul, South Korea

2014 MFA Ceramics, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York

RESIDENCIES

2014-2017Artist in Residence, Ceramics Department, School for American Crafts, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester New York

2016Summer Resident, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Helena, Montana

2017Artists Invited Artists Residency, Watershed Center for the Ceramic Arts, New Castle, Maine

2017-2019Long-Term Resident, Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts, Helena, Montana

PRIMARY WORK EXPERIENCE

2011—Ceramic Artist

BIOGRAPHY 

Yoonjee Kwak is known for coiled porcelain sculptural and utilitarian vessels. Using a minimalist's approach to decorative techniques glazing consists of celadon, Mason stain-based glazes, and minimal gold luster.

Kwak uses the vessel as a means to represent human beings as symbols of Korean culture using minimalism, geometry, and nature. About her work, Kwak states, “In Korea, when people talk about someone’s personality, we often use “vessel” as a metaphor for one’s spirit of tolerance. For instance, when we talk about someone who is very generous or broad-minded, we say, “His vessel is big” and so on.”