Underglaze Figurative Sculptures

Yeonsoo Kim, "Be Yourself," Monochromatic black and white clay vessel, White stoneware, black underglaze, 11.5 × 12.5 × 13 inches. Korean ceramic artist Yeonsoo Kim masterfully blen...

This cup is one of 48 that make up the installation, “Fragments of Our Love Story.” These cups feature feminine forms which recall the Venus of Willendorf and other historical fertil...

"My process begins with a thought, a vision, a look, a trigger that draws me to the clay. Gone are the days of exhaustive preliminary sketches and maquettes, I simply visualize how I...

Guardians of temples or shrines placed on each side of entrance, believed to ward off Evil Spirit’s. They look Angry, but not at You. They are Protecting you from Bad Spirits! The m...

Yeonsoo Kim, "Never Ending Story," Colorful clay white stoneware, underglaze, 14 x 12 x 12 inches. Korean ceramic artist Yeonsoo Kim masterfully blends the ancient Onggi tradition w...

Yeonsoo Kim, "You Are Enough" Monochromatic black and white clay vessel, White stoneware, black underglaze, 22 x 20 x 20 inches. Korean ceramic artist Yeonsoo Kim masterfully blends...

Yeonsoo Kim, "Sweet Home," 2024, Porcelain moon jar,, colored clay, underglaze, 15 × 14 × 14 inches Korean ceramic artist Yeonsoo Kim masterfully blends the ancient Onggi tradition with bold, contemporary expression, crafting pieces that chronicle his personal and artistic journey. Drawing inspiration from Korea’s rich ceramic heritage, he redefines Onggi, a centuries-old practice originally used for functional pottery, by infusing it with vibrant colors, unconventional forms, and playful, stylized motifs. His hand-shaped vessels and sculptures become dynamic, modern narratives that capture his thoughts and experiences in clay. Kim’s technique involves spontaneous surface decoration using Sgraffito and calligraphy brushing, resulting in intricate designs featuring whimsical figures, animals, and objects. His work is driven by memories, relationships, and emotions, evolving organically without preplanning, embracing "freedom over perfectionism." Through his reinterpretation of Onggi, Kim merges tradition and modernity, offering a fresh expression of cultural storytelling in each piece. Working with both porcelain and iron-bearing clays, he tailors each material to the expressive qualities of his designs, revitalizing a millennia-old craft for the modern era. Yeonsoo Kim states, "My work serves as a canvas for a diverse cast of characters, engaging in silent conversations that speak volumes through their nuanced expressions. These characters, often resembling self-portraits, invite viewers into a world where implied images and narratives converge. My work reflects my ongoing quest for artistic identity by exploring the intricacies of daily existence. I delve into the depths of human emotion through recurring motifs, transforming abstract inner experiences into tangible visual realities." Yeonsoo Kim earned a BFA in ceramics and glass from Hongik University in Seoul, an MFA in ceramics from the Lamar Dodd School of Art at the University of Georgia, and has held apprenticeships with master Onggi artisans Hayngjong-Oh in Jeolla-do and Jinkyu Huh in Gyeongsang-do, Korea. In 2020, Kim was recognized as one of the top six Emerging Artists by the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA). His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently being selected for the prestigious 12th International Ceramics Biennale Competition at the Korea Ceramics Foundation in Gyeonggi. Kim has participated in several artist residency programs, including the Korea Ceramic Foundation, Montana State University, the Morean Center for Clay in St. Petersburg, FL, and the Archie Bray Foundation in Montana. ceramic sculpture...

This cup is one of 48 that make up the installation, “Fragments of Our Love Story.” These cups feature feminine forms which recall the Venus of Willendorf and other historical fertil...

This wall piece centers on the narrative of Job, with the woman being a direct pastiche of Leon Bonnat’s painting of Job. The woman is surrounded by the shadow of a halo and concentr...

This cup is one of 48 that make up the installation, “Fragments of Our Love Story.” These cups feature feminine forms which recall the Venus of Willendorf and other historical fertility...

This cup is one of 48 that make up the installation, “Fragments of Our Love Story.” These cups feature feminine forms which recall the Venus of Willendorf and other historical fertility objects...

Sidney Jimenez Bust with Floral Top (INV# NP5235) stoneware, underglaze, and glaze 10.75 × 9 × 5.5” 2024 signed Sydnie Jimenez is a ceramic artist whose work centers on the figures ...