▲ Jo Sun-mi

Clay art uses blue, red, yellow, white and black colors to express the inner images of the makers. It is a process of magical creation that shapes other self. In the coming exhibition, I will deliver warmness through the works themed on clay art and painting – Artist’s note –

Resuming
Jo majored in children’s art. But she was busy raising her children after marriage and could not carry on her talent. It was the Sewol ferry disaster which made her visit the Korean People’s Artists Association Haenam to be encouraged and to resume her career as an artist. 

The Sewol ferry disaster shocked not only Korean people but the world. The whole nation was very sad and angry and Jo was one of them. To express her feeling, she took the clay again which she in fact had been playing with her children every now and then.

“Technically, it is not easy to use various colors effectively in clay art. The art also requires physical strength since I have to do every single procedure by hands. All these efforts, however, become worth the moment it is completed and received a good feedback from the appreciators” says Jo.

Exhibitions
She made her debut in the art world at the Haenam County invitation exhibition ‘Rest In Nature’ in 2015. In 2017, she joined the third year commemorative exhibitions ‘Sewol Ferry: After That Day’ and ‘Rest In Peace II’, and in 2018, two invitational solo exhibitions ‘Embracing Myself At Street Corner’ and ‘Are We There Yet?’

In her recent works, she displayed a series work of portrait with each different character, color and facial expression. As for now, she is engaging in a relay invitational exhibition from October this year to January next year. 

The relay exhibition is held at Sinchon Woori Gallery from 23 October to 20 November, at Mapo Mossaeng Korean Medicine Gallery from 20 November to 18 December, and at Hanam UIC Beautiful Gallery from 18 December to 22 January. 

“Mondrian threw a hot topic to the public with his unique abstract and symmetrical works. It changed the map of the art world and affected fashion and other various industries. I found its meaning that a picture can affect many areas of our lives and many dreams we dream which I also would like to deliver through my works.”

▲ 만추2, 100 x 36㎝, Clay on panel

Volunteer Activities
Jo is teaching clay art to elementary students and drawing and sketch to middle school. She also donated all profits generated at the exhibition with children at the YMCA Haenam to the people in need. As a religious person, she visited Russia in 2016 and made the most of her talent in art for the children in the local. 

“There are many forgotten Koreans living in Russia and Uzbekistan. They are our compatriots. They, especially the children, aroused many feelings of sadness in me and it is regretful that they could not cross the land to reach Korea again.” 

Jo points out Geum Bo-seong as the most influential artist to her. Geum majored in theology and is active as an artist, poet and curator; he is credited for inventing unique Korean alphabet painting and for assisting fellow artists. 

“I think clay art is still unfamiliar for many people. But it is a very attractive art genre once they know its charm. Therefore, I feel a sense of duty to spread it with various programs and activities.”