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Translated Vase_2017 TVBGJW 1_Nine Dragons in Wonderland
Nine Dragons in Wonderland (2017)
The Translated Vase series consists of sculptures reconstructed from discarded ceramic fragments. I piece together the ceramic shards which have been discarded by Korean Masters, with gold over the cracks. It is a bit like doing a jigsaw puzzle with broken ceramic. In this work, various ceramic fragments reproduced from all periods and areas of Korea are used, including those from North Korea.
Many of these fragments are created during the destruction of pots which the ceramic Masters deem to be unworthy, and this act keeps the rarity and value of the surviving works. In this process I obtain a chance to intervene and fabricate new narratives with my own translation of the pieces to form an infinite proliferation which is no longer fragile.
The title of this work is “Nine Dragons in Wonderland”, quoted from the Chinese mythology of the nine sons of the dragon, who have magical functions in the human world. The nine sons of the dragon are hybrid with other animals, such as a cow, a wolf, a lion, a goat, a dog etc. All are very interesting characters, and are symbolically placed on the four corners of roofs, on the tops of bells or on tombstones.
Especially in East Asian culture, the dragon is considered as a positive and sublime being, and specifically in Korea it is the symbol of the king. Therefore the nine sons of the dragon are permeated into everyday life as meaningful symbols in residential spaces.
It is not possible to know the original meanings of each of the nine sons of the dragon, due to the cultural memory lost during the tragic turmoil of the Korean occupation and civil war, however, I expect the audience will find a way to connect the missing links between past and present, following the fragments of the dragon’s images.
이상한 나라의 아홉 용 (2017)
<번역된 도자기> 시리즈는 버려진 도자기 파편들을 재구성한 조각들로 구성되어 있다. 나는 명인들이 버린 도자기 파편을 조각조각 이어 붙이고, 틈새에 금을 입혔다. 이 과정은 마치 깨진 도자기 조각으로 직소 퍼즐을 맞추는 것과 비슷하다. 이 작품에는 북한의 도자기를 포함해, 한국의 모든 시대와 지역에서 재현된 다양한 도자기 파편이 사용된다.
이 파편들 중 상당수는 도자기 명인이 가치가 없다고 판단한 도자기를 파괴하는 과정에서 만들어지는데, 이러한 행위는 살아남은 작품의 희귀성과 가치를 유지시킨다. 이 과정에서 나는 더 이상 취약하지 않은 무한한 증식을 형성하기 위해 나만의 번역으로 새로운 서사에 개입하고 조작할 기회를 얻는다.
이 작품의 제목은 <이상한 나라의 아홉 용>으로, 인간 세상에서 마법의 기능을 지닌 용의 아홉 아들에 대한 중국 신화를 인용하였다. 용의 아홉 아들들은 소, 늑대, 사자 ,염소, 개 등의 다른 동물들과 교배한 교잡종이다. 이들은 모두 매우 흥미로운 캐릭터들이고, 지붕의 네 모서리, 종의 꼭대기, 묘비 등에 상징적으로 배치되어 있다.
특히 동아시아 문화에서 용은 긍정적이고 숭고한 존재로 여겨지며, 또한 한국에서는 특히 용을 왕의 상징으로 여긴다. 그 결과 용의 아홉 아들들은 주거 공간에서 의미 있는 상징으로 일상 생활에 스며들어 있다.
한국 점령기와 내전이라는 비극적인 혼란 속에서 잃어버린 문화적 기억으로 인해 용의 아홉 아들 각각이 가진 본래 의미를 알 수는 없지만, 관객들이 용의 모습의 파편을 따라서 과거와 현재 사이의 끊어진 고리를 연결 할 수 있는 방법을 찾을 수 있을 것으로 기대한다.
Translated Vase_2017 TVBGJW 1_Nine Dragons in Wonderland
2017
Ceramic shards, stainless steel, aluminum, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
492x200x190cm
ⓒYeesookyung
Translated Vase_Thousand
Translated Vase_Thousand (detail)
Translated Vase_2012 TVG 1
Translated Vase_2009 TVG 1
Translated Vase_2015 TVGW 3
Translated Vase_2012 TVW The Moon 1
Translated Vase_2014 TVW 2 (left), Translated Vase_2014 TVWG 1 (right)
Translated Vase_2007 TVW 10
Translated Vase_2007 TVW 11
Translated Vase_2007 TVW 5
Translated Vase_2007 TVW 5 (detail)
Translated Vase_2009 TVW 1
Translated Vase_2009 TVW 2
Translated Vase_2009 TVW 3
Translated Vase_2009 TVW 3 (detail)
Translated Vase (2001-ongoing)
The Translated Vase series consists of sculptures reconstructed from discarded ceramic fragments. Skillful ceramic masters reproduce traditional Korean ceramics, and the vases with minor defects are destroyed to keep the rarity and value of the surviving masterpieces. I piece these destroyed pots back together in the manner of three-dimensional jigsaw puzzles, covering the cracks in gold. From the moment of destruction, I obtain a chance to intervene and fabricate new narratives with my own translation.
번역된 도자기 (2001-현재 진행 중)
<번역된 도자기>는 버려진 도자기 파편으로 만들어진 작품이다. 한국의 도자 장인들은 한국 전통 도자기를 재현하면서 작품의 희소성과 최고의 가치를 유지 하기 위해, 완성된 도자기에서 작은 결점이라도 발견되면 그 도자기를 파기해버린다. 그렇게 생겨난 부서진 도자기 파편들을 입체 퍼즐 조각처럼 맞추고, 파편들 사이의 틈을 금으로 덮어 제작한 이 작품에서 나는 도자기가 부서진 순간부터 작품에 개입 할 수 있는 기회를 얻게 되고, 나의 번역과 해석에 의해 새로운 이야기와 의미를 담은 작품이 완성된다.
Translated Vase_Thousand
2012
Ceramic shards, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
Dimensions variable
Installation View
Constellation Gemini, Korea Artist Prize, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea
ⓒ National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea
Exhibition History
Paradox of Place: Contemporary Korean Art, Seattle Asian Art Museum, Seattle, USA, 2015
When I Become You, Daegu Art Museum, Daegu, Korea, 2015
Encounters 2014, Art Basel Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 2014
Constellation Gemini, Korea Artist Prize, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea, Gwacheon, Korea 2012
Translated Vase_Thousand, 2012 (detail)
Translated Vase_2012 TVG 1
2012
Ceramic shards, aluminum bars, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
157x88x93cm
Courtesy of the artist
Photo: Keith Park
ⓒYeesookyung
Exhibition History
When I Become You, Daegu Art Museum, Daegu, Korea, 2015
Busan Biennale: Inhabiting the World, Busan Museum of Art, Busan, Korea, 2014
K-P.O.P.─Korean Contemporary Art, Museum of Contemporary Art, Taipei, Taiwan, 2014
La Route Bleue, Fondation Boghossian, Bruxelles, Belgium, 2013
Yeesookyung, Sindoh Art Gallery, Seoul, Korea, 2012
Translated Vase_2009 TVG 1
2009
Ceramic shards, aluminum bars, epoxy resin, 24K gold leaf
122x84x81cm
Courtesy of the artist
Photo: Keith Park
ⓒYeesookyung
Exhibition History
When I Become You, Daegu Art Museum, Daegu, Korea, 2015
K-P.O.P.─Korean Contemporary Art, Museum of Contemporary Art Taipei, Taiwan, 2014
Busan Biennale: Inhabiting the World, Busan Museum of Art, Busan, Korea, 2014
Translated Koryo Celadon, Haegang Ceramics Museum, Ichon, Korea, 2009
Translated Vase_2015 TVGW 3
2015
Ceramic shards, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
130x105x105cm
Collection of The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
Courtesy of the artist
Photo: Kwack Gongshin
ⓒYeesookyung
Exhibition History
Born in Flames : Korean Ceramics from the National Museum of Korea, The State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia, 2016
Earth, Fire, Soul -Masterpieces of Korean Ceramics, Salon d'Honneur at the Grand Palais, Paris, France, 2016
Translated Vase_2012 TVW The Moon 1
2012
Ceramic shards, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
155x155x155cm
Collection of Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea
Courtesy of the artist
ⓒYeeskyung
Exhibition History
Sydney Biennale, Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney, Australia, 2012
Translated Vase_2014 TVW 2 (left)
2014
Ceramic shards, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
220x110x100cm
Courtesy of the artist and Locks Gallery, Philadelphia, USA
ⓒSFO Museum, San Francisco, USA
Exhibition History
Yeesookyung: Contemporary Korean Sculpture, Asia Society Texas Center, Houston, USA, 2014
Dual Natures in Ceramics, SFO Museum, San Francisco, USA, 2014
Translated Vase_2014 TVWG 1(right)
2014
Ceramic shards, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
92x70x156cm
Courtesy of the artist and Locks Gallery, Philadelphia, USA
ⓒSFO Museum, San Francisco, USA
Exhibition History
Reshaping Tradition: Contemporary Ceramics from East Asia, USC Pacific Asian Museum, Pasadena, USA, 2015
The meaning of time, Locks Gallery, Philadelphia, USA, 2014
Dual Natures in Ceramics, SFO Museum, San Francisco, USA, 2014
Translated Vase_2007 TVW 10
2007
Ceramic shards, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
122x84x81cm
Collection of Spencer Museum of Art, Lawrence, USA
Courtesy of the artist and Museum Schloß Oranienbaum
ⓒYeesookyung and Museum Schloß Oranienbaum, Dessau, Germany
Exhibition History
Korean Eye, Saatchi Gallery, London, UK, 2012
Yee Sookyung im Scholoss Oranienbaum, Museum Schloß Oranienbaum, Dessau, Germany, 2009
Earth Wind &Fire, Ilmin Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea, 2007
Translated Vase_2007 TVW 11
2007
Ceramic shards, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
160x90x90cm
Collection of Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea
Courtesy of he artist and Museum Schloß Oranienbaum
ⓒYeesookyung and Museum Schloß Oranienbaum, Dessau, Germany
Exhibition History
The Collectors Show: Weight of History, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore, 2013
Korean Eye, Saatchi Gallery, London, UK, 2012
Yee Sookyung im Scholoss Oranienbaum, Museum Schloß Oranienbaum, Dessau, Germany, 2009
Earth Wind &Fire, Ilmin Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea, 2007
Translated Vase_2007 TVW 5
2007
Ceramic shards, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
120x210x95cm
Collection of National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul, Korea
Courtesy of National Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul, Korea
Photo: Kim Sangtae
ⓒYeesookyung
Exhibition History
Korean Eye, Saatchi Gallery, London, UK, 2012
Tell Me Tell Me, National Art School Gallery, Sydney, Australia. Travelled to: National Museum of Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, Korea 2011
Yee Sookyung im Scholoss Oranienbaum, Museum Schloß Oranienbaum, Dessau, Germany, 2009
To have or to be, Farmleigh Gallery, Dublin, Ireland / Palacio Galveias, Lisbon, Portugal, 2008
Earth Wind & Fire, Ilmin Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea, 2007
Translated Vase_2007 TVW 5 (detail)
Translated Vase_2009 TVW 1
2009
Ceramic shards, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
90x145x135cm
Courtesy of the artist
Photo: Keith Park
ⓒYeesookyung
Exhibition History
When I Become You, Daegu Art Museum, Daegu, Korea, 2015
Korean Eye, Saatchi Gallery, London, UK, 2012
Vancouver Biennale, Vancouver, Canada, 2009
Translated Vase_2009 TVW 2
2009
Ceramic shards, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
60x1105x150cm
Courtesy of the artist
Photo: Keith Park
ⓒYeesookyung
Exhibition History
When I Become You, Daegu Art Museum, Daegu, Korea, 2015
Jakarta Contemporary Ceramics Biennale, National Gallery of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia, 2014
La Route Bleue, Fondation Boghossian, Bruxelles, Belgium, 2013
Translated Vase_2009 TVW 3
2009
Ceramic shards, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
Dimensions variable
Collection of Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo, Japan
Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo, Japan
ⓒOta Fine Arts, Tokyo, Japan
Exhibition History
Niigata Art Festival, Closed school in Niigata, Niigata, Japan, 2015
YeeSookyung, Ota Fine Arts, Tokyo, Japan, 2009
Translated Vase_2009 (detail)
Translated Vase_The Other Side of the Moon_2014 TVB 2
The Other Side of The Moon (2014)
The Other Side of The Moon is one of the works inside the Translated Vase series. The black-glazed ceramic fragments from Hoiryeong in North Korea were used in this work. These black-glazed ceramics were mainly made in the Northern part of the Korean peninsula during the Japanese occupation period. Dark Side of the Moon is exhibited in the Leeum Museum opposite the Joseon white Moon jar. Nobody really knows what the other side of the Moon is like and this piece is my musing on the unknown reality of North Korea.
달의 이면 (2014)
<달의 이면>은 번역된 도자기 시리즈에 속한 작품으로, 북한 회령의 흑유 도자 파편이 작품에 사용되었다. 흑유 도자기는 일제강점기에 한반도 북부 지역에서 주로 생산되었으며, <달의 이면>은 리움에서 조선 달 항아리의 맞은편에 전시 되었다. 이 작품은 아무도 달의 이면을 모르는 것처럼, 알려지지 않은 북한의 실제 모습에 대한 나의 사색이 담겨있다.
Translated Vase_The Other Side of the Moon_2014 TVB 2
2014
Ceramic shards from North Korea, epoxy, 24K gold leaf
138x143x141cm
Collection of Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea
Courtesy of Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea
Photo: Yongkwan Kim
ⓒYeesookyung
Exhibition History
Beyond and Between, Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea, 2014