Jeonbuk Life 2018-1 Spring

The architecture is a mix
of two traditional Korean style
houses and a modern minimalist
zen building. There are small private
rooms where one can sit on the floor and
share a tea with your friends, and larger
rooms where you can sit on chairs. From
the windows, you can see an open space
with a large lake and trees out one side, or
a bamboo forest out the
other side.
At the art gallery, the
most recent pottery
exhibition was called
Unexpected Discoveries.
This exhibition ran
from April 13th to the
27th and was quite
worthwhile. This was
the first exhibition
of artist Jang Mi Ae.
She makes beautiful
pottery without a
pottery wheel and because she works only
with her hands, that makes her pottery
very unique.
Jang Mi Ae succeeds in sharing with us the
charm pottery is having on her. She wants
to create pieces that “comfort people and
give them courage in their tiring everyday
lives.” From my personal experience,
looking at her work and taking a cup in
my hand, I found it eventually releasing me
from my daily stress... especially in such a
beautiful environment.
I encourage you to look
for the next exhibition
of Jang Mi Ae, and find
out about the next
exhibitions at this
art gallery and coffee
shop because both are
experiences to cherish.
Making beautiful pottery
without using any wheel.
Jang Mi Ae was an art teacher until she
decided to retire. Since then, she has been
living peacefully in the countryside of
Jeollabuk-do and making pottery. She says,
“I am slowly learning how to become an old
happy woman”.
She started producing pottery in 1997 at
school, creating a special pottery class and
learning this art together with her students.
Then, she studied pottery for six years with a
teacher. From the touch and the smell of the
clay, she can feel the richness of the Earth.
“Like in real life, the change that comes from
the process of glazing either disappoints me or
makes me happy. It just reflects life. That’s very
fascinating.”
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