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Hyejeong Kim “Vessel of Water – Celadon and Patina”

HIN / Arts & Science is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Korean ceramicist Hyejeong Kim in Kyoto and Tokyo. This exhibition showcases her renowned blue-green glaze, the “Patina” series—the culmination of years of technical dedication—alongside her new “Celadon” series, marking a significant fresh chapter in her evolving artistic journey.

Event details

Based in Seoul, Hyejeong Kim is a distinguished ceramicist whose practice is driven by an enduring fascination with the chromatic nuances of glaze. She has devoted years to pursuing hues that resonate with her artistic vision, refined through tireless experimentation. While her earlier vessels were characterized by simplicity and serenity, her recent work has embraced more expressive, sculptural forms. Among these, the “Patina” series is particularly striking, defined by organic, evocative shapes and deep blue-green tones.

 

In a significant new initiative, Kim will present her “Celadon” works in Japan for the first time. The series was brought to Japan after A&S Creative Director Sonya Park attended Kim’s 2024 exhibition in Seoul, where she was captivated by the artist’s experimental and contemplative approach to celadon glazing. The “Celadon” series emerges from a creative ethos distinct from that of “Patina”. While “Patina” foregrounds Kim’s individuality through direct, expressive forms, “Celadon” represents a humble, methodical search for depth. Beginning with fundamental, classical forms, each piece is shaped through persistent engagement with the material’s unique properties. Though their methodologies differ, both series are united by Kim’s profound curiosity regarding color.

 

Through this interplay of glaze, gesture, and form, Kim’s distinctive creative world unfolds—ranging from refined everyday vessels to singular sculptural objects. We invite you to discover her artistry firsthand.

MESSAGE

“I still vividly remember encountering ‘Viridian’ in a set of pastels as a child—the way that color, with blue flickering within a deep green, completely captivated me.

 

When I first set out to pursue ceramics, I struggled with the constraints of color expression. One day, I came across a remark from my mentor: ‘the blue of celadon is not a color.’ I came to understand that celadon does not contain pigment within the glaze; rather, trace amounts of iron are reduced by the flame, and the spectrum of light passing through the glaze layer appears as a jade-like hue. It is the same principle by which the sky and the sea appear blue, even though water itself is transparent.
 

I am drawn to things in which light moves slowly, and simply exists. That quality depends less on color than on texture, and I feel that, in order to achieve an ideal glaze, the clay itself, the forming on the wheel, and the firing are of utmost importance.

 

The viridian that once captivated me held within it the blue of the sky, the green of trees, and the smell of earth. In recent years, I find myself drawn to blue-green tones reminiscent of weathered bronze, which evoke a sense of nostalgia. Perhaps it is the layered traces of time that I am responding to. Like the shifting light through trees or the resonance of sound—things that, simply by being there, quiet the mind. I continue to work with the hope of creating something from which a ‘quiet light’ seems to emerge from within the material.”

 

― Hyejeong Kim

PROFILE

Ceramicist Hyejeong Kim was born in Tokyo. Since first discovering ceramics at an art university in South Korea, she has refined her skills in both Japan and the UK, developing a distinctive personal style. Her works—characterised by simple, wheel-thrown forms that radiate tranquillity and a powerful, sensual presence—have gained international acclaim. She is currently based in Seoul, where she continues to explore and expand her creative practice in her studio.

EVENT DETAILS

TITLE

Hyejeong Kim “Vessel of Water – Celadon and Patina”

KYOTO

HIN / Arts & Science, Nijodori Kyoto
April 29th (Wednesday) — May 10th (Sunday) 2026 / 12:00 – 18:00
*The Artist will be preset on April 29th (Wednesday)
Closed on Tuesday

TOKYO

HIN / Arts & Science, Aoyama
May 15th (Friday) — May 25th (Monday) 2026 / 11:00 – 19:00
*The Artist will be preset on May 15th (Friday)
Closed on Tuesday

  • Due to preparations, HIN / Arts & Science, Nijodori Kyoto will be temporarily closed on Monday, April 27, Tuesday, April 28, HIN / Arts & Science, Aoyama will be temporarily closed on Thursday, May 14.

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