Korea-Australia Ceramic Exhibition

As the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC) Representative for Oceania, Professor Lee, Boo Yun, invited me to curate the Australian selection of the Korea-Australia Invitational Ceramic Exhibition hosted by Seoul Cyber University. Professor Lee is Chair of the exhibition, professor of Seoul Cyber University, and a member of IAC.

Seoul Cyber University’s aim is to play a leading role in online exhibitions, and to build and strengthen their global relationships through cultural diplomacy. It’s been a great honour to work with Professor Lee and Seoul Cyber University to bring this exhibition to fruition.

My message from the online exhibition catalogue:

The Korea-Australia Invitational Ceramic Exhibition celebrates the friendship between Australia and Korea, a relationship that dates back to the 1950s. We thank Seoul Cyber University and Professor Lee, Boo Yun for inviting us to participate in an exhibition that strengthens our friendship and promotes dialogue through cultural exchange.

Korea has a long tradition and history of pottery and has had a tremendous influence on international ceramics. As one of the beneficiaries of the study exchange agreement between The Australian National University and Hong-Ik University in Seoul, I spent four months immersed in Korean culture and tradition. It was an experience that has stayed with me – as I’m sure it has with anyone who has visited Korea for any length of time.

For us, the traditions of our First Nation peoples go back thousands of years, this is our culture and history, and many ceramic artists draw inspiration from this deep connection to country and the Australian landscape. With a recent history in studio ceramics Australian artists have explored techniques and cultural influences from around the world.

In a short time, ceramicists have created a uniquely Australian aesthetic and intellectual voice that has gained international recognition, and contributed to the global field of ceramics. The ceramicists exhibiting in the Korea-Australia Invitational Ceramic Exhibition are a small selection of the outstanding artists working in clay in Australia today, many of whom have been honoured at exhibitions, biennales and residencies in Korea.

Ceramics continues to be a powerful universal language. The exhibition is a valuable cultural exchange that will continue to stimulate interaction, foster understanding, and strengthen bilateral relations without the barrier of language.

I thank all the participating artists for their dedication to ceramics and the important role they play in cultural diplomacy.

I congratulate Seoul Cyber University and Professor Lee, Boo Yun, and their teams, for their leadership and commitment in fostering cross-cultural understanding and friendship.

Avi Amesbury

Australia

IAC Representative for Oceania

See Catalogue: Korea-Australia Invitational Ceramic Exhibition

I stand corrected on the historical dates of the Korea-Australia relationship. As Professor Lee points out in her catalogue message ‘Australian missionaries arrived in Korea in 1884’.

Australian artists: Andrea Barker (IAC), Anita McIntyre, Avi Amesbury (IAC), Avital Sheffer, Barbara Campbell-Allen, Bernard Kerr, Cathy Franzi, Cassandra Chung Ha Sorrell, Charles Inkamala, David Ray, Fiona Hiscock, Fleur Schell, Gerry Wedd, Graham Hay (IAC), Greg Daly (IAC), Gudrun Klix (IAC), Ian Beniston, Ian Dowling, Jane Bamford , Jane Sawyer (IAC), Janet DeBoos (IAC), Janet Fieldhouse, Jeff Mincham, Johanna Demaine, John Tuckwell, Julie Bartholomew (IAC), Kirsten Coelho, Lynda Draper, Mollie Bosworth, Moraig McKenna, Neville French, Patsy Hely, Pru Venables (IAC), Robert Barron, Sally Walk (IAC), Sandy Lockwood, Shaun Hayes, Simone Fraser (IAC), Steve Harrison, Stewart Scambler, Tatsuya Tsusui, Victor Greenaway, VipooSrivilasa