The exhibition pairs contemporary and historical Korean ceramics from the museum?s permanent collection by highlighting the material, aesthetic, stylistic and technical developments throughout history.
While Korea?s ceramic tradition dates back 7000 years, it was not until 1958 that ceramics became one of the first arts acknowledged as an independent discipline in Korean universities. Since then, Korean ceramic artists have developed an even broader range of techniques and forms in their work traveling extensively and exhibiting internationally, while simultaneously preserving and expanding upon some elements of Korea?s historical ceramic traditions.
The Crow?s Korean art collection consists of works ranging from stone sculptures to a small selection of paintings, furniture, chests, boxes, bronze mirrors and other examples of decorative art. The majority, however, are ceramics. Of these ceramics, the museum has a rich variety of stoneware from the early Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE-935 CE), celadon wares from the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392), porcelains from the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), as well as works by contemporary ceramicists.
?Today, American life is deeply interwoven with Asia,? says Dr. Jacqueline Chao, curator of the exhibition and the Crow Collection?s curator of Asian art. ?The need to understand the diverse arts, cultures, histories and contemporary cultures of Asia is more essential now than ever. By juxtaposing works of Korean art of the past with the present, we situate timeless works of art within a global context, to offer viewers fresh and meaningful perspectives on Korean art, culture and history.?
Earthly Splendor: Korean Ceramics from the Collection will be filled with historical and decorative treasures you don’t want to miss.