KWIRAK CHOUNG

WOODFIRED CERAMICS

4 NOVEMBER - 25 NOVEMBER 2017

10AM - 4PM, TUESDAY TO SATURDAY (& SUNDAY 19 NOV)

We were honoured to have John Freeland, Pottery Collector/Curator/Educator & more recently Maker, to officially launch the exhibition at 4pm, Saturday 4 November 2017.

Kwirak studied ceramics at National Art School, and later gained an MA (by research) from Monash University. He specialises in high temperature stoneware ceramics, especially anagama (a woodfire kiln) firing technique.

While my Korean background has been influential in providing me with a constant inspiration in making, and my early involvement in tasting the ancient philosophies of Buddhism and Taoism has been influential in my understanding of beauty which accepts elementary imperfections as integral to a perfect harmony, I have experienced considerable difficulty in configuring my individual aesthetic in a different, Australian cultural environment.

The constant awareness of conflicts between the influences of two cultures have led me to arrive at a point of thought where cultural influences are largely superficial in contrast to the existence of common ground for human emotions; that striving for a realm of beauty resides in us in common regardless of cultural difference.