In a remarkable blend of materials, Seoul-based artist Jongjin Park melds everyday paper with ceramics, challenging traditional forms. His innovative approach recently earned him the 2026 Loewe Craft Prize for the sculpture “Strata of Illusion.” This captivating piece, with its rectangular shape and slouching sides, comprises layers of paper towels imbued with ceramic slip, displaying Park’s distinct vision.
Inspired by the fine textures and lines found in paper stacks, Park seeks to expand ceramics beyond its conventional boundaries. “I wanted to break through the stereotypes inherent in ceramics as a medium,” he explains. His use of standard paper towels, although natural, presented challenges due to the intensity of the firing process.
Discover how traditional textures find new life as fractured Korean ceramics become symbols of resilience and innovation.
To overcome these hurdles, Park employs recycled paper from milk cartons, fired in specialized kilns with high chimneys to effectively manage exhaust. This careful consideration addresses both technical and ethical aspects of his art-making journey.
Conceptually, Park redefines the material’s pre-fired state, viewing it as flexible rather than fragile. This flexibility allows for an exploration of patterns and forms, balancing strength with elasticity—a pivotal aspect of his experimental process.
The layers in Park’s work represent both time’s passage and a material conceit. “When densely layered, these sheets endure kiln’s heat, achieving a solid permanence reminiscent of geological strata,” he notes. This tension between thinness and density, flexibility and rigidity, forms the essence of his creations.
Beyond his creative practice, Park imparts his expertise as a professor in Craft & Collectible Design at Seoul Women’s University. Discover more about his innovative process in this video, and explore his work further on Instagram.
For another take on dynamic sculpture, explore how rope sculptures transform a Yorkshire gallery with maritime inspirations.
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Source: thisiscolossal.com