Wookjae Maeng is a South Korean artist who has been working with ceramics for the past twenty years. Maeng received his BFA from Kyunghee University in 2001 and MFA from Kyunghee University (2003) and Gothenburg University – School of Design and Crafts (2008). In 2015, he completed his PhD studies in Ceramic Design at Kookmin University, Seoul. His works have been exhibited nationally and internationally and are part of prestigious collections at institutions such as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (KR), Korea Ceramic Foundation (KR), Yingge Ceramic Museum (TW), Chinese Art Academy Museum (CN), The Archie Bray Foundation,(US), International Ceramic Research Center Guldagergaard (DK), The Banff Centre for The Art (CA) or The International Ceramics Studio Kecskemet (HU).
Visit Wookjae Maeng’s website.
Featured work
A Secret Forest, 2019
A Garden, 2017
Home, 2019
I concentrate on art as a vehicle to communicate contemporary social and environmental problems to the viewer by stimulating, not just emotion, but sensibilities and memories. In this regard, ‘stimulus’ plays an import role in the expression of my work and in its perception by the viewer. Visually or sensually appropriate stimuli evoke curiosity in the viewer and their desire to grasp the inner meanings of the work. Within this process the viewer not only intellectually comprehends the work but also viscerally appreciates it if their preconceptions are challenged or senses other than sight are stimulated. This three dimensional appreciation-which engages the viewer both physically and sensually-I believe conveys the message of a work on a deeper level.
In our environment, numerous creatures live in harmony. Yet there are other creatures that merely exist without enjoying their natural right due to human classification and negligence. I would like to express the nature of the relationship between human and other creatures-a relationship that, in other to thrive, demands careful coexistence and balance between the urban and the natural, for example, and an awareness and empathy for less visible creatures. In my work I hope to provide an opportunity-however brief-for modern man to consider the realities of the environment in which he exists, even as he continues his daily existence indifferent to it.
