Overview
Gwanju in Gyeonggi Province was an area famous for its ceramics which were presented to the royal court of the Joseon Dynasty. Han Gi-seok’s studio is also located in Gwanju, and he is the fifth generation within his family of artisans who have focused on pottery. What stands out in his studio is a large iron pot alongside various white porcelain that runs the gamut from traditional porcelain of natural beauty to more modern ceramics design for everyday usage. His “Faceted White Porcelain Liquor Set” and “Blue and White Porcelain Tableware Set,” selected as an Excellent Cultural Product of 2017, modify the beauty of white porcelain to accommodate everyday usage. In particular, the alcohol bottle relies upon the unique sculpting technique prevalent during the Joseon Dynasty. By designing these bottles, Han considers the recent rise of single-person and two-person households. The bottles can be used when one wants to enjoy a quiet time of drinking. Furthermore, another series of products by Han—rice holders with peony and butterfly ornaments—caters to modern food consumption habits of eating in a small amount by adopting a smaller size.
Product Information
The peony and butterfly designs represent “health and longevity” and “the welcoming of spring,” respectively.