MATTERS OF SIZE:
a Contemporary Korean Take on Technique, Scale & Stature
with Grace Han
June 16-29, 2024
Go Big during this immersive two-week hands-on workshop with Canadian/Korean ceramic artist Grace Han. This workshop will transport you to the captivating world of Korean traditional throwing techniques. You will delve into the art of Su-re-jil and Sseol-jil, two ancient methods that will empower you to create large, stunning forms on the potter's wheel. From day one you will explore time-honored practices and embrace the joy of a classical approach using authentic Korean Onggi tools. Han will demonstrate that throwing large forms is not just about muscle, but rather more about finesse; the beauty of small, repetitive movements, patience, and sensitivity. Coil throwing, slab throwing, dry throwing, paddling, even wedging clay by means of stepping barefoot onto a large pad of clay as if performing a circular dance — all demystified during the course of this workshop. Practice these and the results will be extraordinary. Once the generously-scaled vessels are bisque fired, you will consider traditional glaze aesthetics, innovative surface design possibilities, and personal expression, so that each participant lands on a one-of-a-kind balance of these. Form, function, expression: all informed by the precedent of Korea’s exquisite pottery tradition as interpreted by a very exciting and contemporary creative artist-instructor.
Open to all levels of experience.
TUITION: USD $2200 inclusive of all studio materials, glazes and firings, catered lunches, welcome dinner, and excursions around the island. We will assist in making recommendations for bookings for nearby hotels, bungalows or home-stays in convenient proximity to Gaya studio (accommodation is not included in tuition).
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE - MATTERS of SIZE: a contemporary Korean take on technique, scale & stature
Sunday, June 16:
Welcome Dinner at Moksa Restaurant. Get to know each other over a beautiful plant-based dinner which is a work of art in itself. Grace will share a presentation about her work and life.
Monday, June 17:
Studio orientation, welcoming participants with a short introduction to the course and going through
the schedule for the next two weeks. Introducing Korean traditional Onggi methods, their terminology and names of specific tools
Demonstrations: Making base, making large coil, coil throwing – single layer (throwing large plates)
12:30 Lunch
Studio time: Practice base making and single-layer coil throwing
Tuesday, June 18:
Studio time: Practice base making and single-layer coil throwing
Demonstration: Coil throwing – multi layers
12:30 Lunch
Studio time: Practice coil throwing (multi layers)
Wednesday, June 19:
Practice coil throwing
Demonstration: Slab making
Practice slab making
12:30 Lunch
Demonstration: Slab throwing (1 layer)
Practice slab throwing
Thursday, June 20:
On-going demonstrations and one on one assistance
12:30 Lunch
Practice slab making & slab throwing, and dry clay for tomorrow
Friday, June 21:
Revisiting Korean traditional Onggi techniques, their terminology and names of specific tools
Demonstration: Clay mixing without traditional wedging method, Su-re-jil (Paddling) / Dry throwing
12:30 Lunch
Demonstration: Adding layers for larger forms
Studio time: practice Su-re-jil (paddling)
Saturday, June 22:
On-going demonstrations and one on one assistance (Slab making, slab throwing, adding layers, paddling)
12:30 Lunch
Studio time: practice Su-re-jil (Paddling)
Loading BISQUE #1
Sunday, June 23:
Free day! Studio is closed, pots are drying.
BISQUE #1 is firing.
Monday, June 24:
Full Studio Day: Practice Su-re-jil (Paddling) (1:1 assistance)
Practice any techniques learned.
12:30 Lunch
Unload BISQUE #1
Load BISQUE #2
Tuesday, June 25:
“PARTY DAY!!”
Party #1: Clay mixing by stepping on clay pad (with fun music!)
Party #2: Creating a large vessel as a group
Firing BISQUE #2
Demonstration: Glazing
12:30 Lunch
Studio time: practice Su-re-jil (Paddling)
Begin glazing.
Unload BISQUE #2
Load GLAZE #1
Wednesday, June 26:
Continue glazing
12:30 Lunch
Practice any techniques learned.
On-going demonstrations and one on one assistance
Load GLAZE #2
Thursday, June 27:
Excursion day! While kilns fire and cool, we get outside and enjoy Bali…
Firing GLAZE #2
Friday, June 28:
OPEN BOTH GLAZE KILNS!
12:30 Lunch
Trace the Onggi tools if you want to make your own when you return.
Clean the Onggi tools and return them to Grace.
Packing photographing and admiring the results, closing sentiments, workshop concludes by 5 pm
Saturday, June 29:
Departure Day, no activities, studio closed