Michel Francois & Younggi Seo: Cornwall To Korea

CORNWALL TO KOREA MICHEL FRANCOIS | YOUNGGI SEO

Cornwall To Korea an exhibition by Michel Francois & Younggi Seo at the Leach Pottery 17 August - 27 October 2019

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CORNWALL TO KOREA INTRODUCTION In 2018, Michel Francois approached the Leach Pottery proposing a joint-exhibition with Younggi Seo – a renowned Korean potter with whom Michel had been working that year.

Under Younggi’s guidance in Korea, Michel began gaining a practical grasp of making and appreciating Korean moon jars. In 2019, Younggi visited Cornwall and spent several weeks, prior to this exhibition, making pots at Michel’s Falmouth studio.

This exhibition offered several opportunities: to support a Start Up Potter from the early days of our 2008 reopening; to foster international collaboration and friendship – a value at the core of our ethos; to (re)connect with the potters of Korea and the iconic moon jar; to bring traditionally informed moon jars to new audiences.

Bernard Leach visited Korea in the 1930s and returned to the UK with a moon jar made in the Joseon Dynasty. This moon jar subsequently lived with Lucie Rie, in London, before returning to the care of Janet Leach, in St Ives, then becoming part of the British Museum’s collection.

Over a century after Bernard’s first visit to Korea, this exhibition presents a new chapter in the Leach Pottery’s unfolding story as a site of cultural exchange where East meets West, where tradition meets the contemporary, and where past friendships lead to new ones. We hope you enjoy this delightful exhibition of moon jars and Korean-inspired pots that have been made in both Cornwall and Korea.

Dr Matthew Tyas, September 2019

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CORNWALL TO KOREA YOUNGGI SEO It is an honour to exhibit my moon jars at the Leach Pottery.

Bernard Leach once said that owning his Korean moon jar was like ‘carrying a piece of happiness’ and, as an artist making Korean moon jars, I offer my deep respect and gratitude to him for recognising this beauty.

I started learning pottery at 18, making Buncheong pottery, celadon pottery, white porcelain, then learning calligraphy and literary painting.

I have built 20 wood kilns since the age of 22, supplied Japan with teabowls, and spent decades learning the tradition of moon jar making and exploring them artistically.

This journey has been personally difficult and technically challenging but, with the support of my wife and my Christian faith, I have begun to succeed enjoying two recent exhibitions at the prestigious Hangaram Art Museum of the Seoul Arts Center.

Through my art practice I want to meet pure art. As dots form a line each artwork creates another artwork. It is not by chance or luck: I have been working continuously for 40 years.

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Korean Teapot – Large | 12 x 9.5 cm

Korean Sukwu Jug – Small | 7 x 5 cm 8

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Sukwu Jug – Part of a Wood Fired Tea Set | 8 x 5.5 cm 10

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Korean Chassabal (Teabowl) | 11.5 x 8.5 cm 12

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Korean Chassabal (Teabowl) | 11.5 x 8.5 cm 14

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Korean Chassabal (Teabowl): Made in Korea, with Box | 12.5 x 7.5 cm 16

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Moon Jar: In the Beginning: Nature & Art | 36 x 38 cm 18

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Moon Jar: Freedom | 38 x 40 cm 20

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Moon Jar: Accompany | 58 x 64 cm 22

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Moon Jar:The Mystery of the Universe | 49 x 56 cm 24

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KOREA TO CORNWALL MICHEL FRANCOIS My engagement with the moon jar spans 20 years and, in 2017, it took an unexpected direction when the Korean Broadcasting System shot a documentary at my studio. Younggi Seo, a Professor in the Department of Ceramic Art and Sculpture, at Kyonggi University, saw this on television and invited me to Korea to work on a joint exhibition at the Korean Craft Museum.

Younggi then came to work with me in Cornwall: sharing my studio life with him has been an honour and a humbling experience resulting in two consecutive shows in Cornwall and Korea.

It is said that a good moon jar rises up from the earth, growing to its fullness at its middle, to then rise up to the heavens where it holds itself.

It should be generous enough in spirit to hold the universe inside it.

However, making the moon jar requires an inner resolve as most will not survive the perilous making process.

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Korean Teacup | 8 x 5 cm 28

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Korean Teacup | 9.5 x 5 cm 30

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Teabowl: Chun Hare’s Fur | 13.5 x 8.5 cm 32

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Teabowl: Chun Hare’s Fur | 14 x 7 cm 34

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FlambĂŠ & Celadon Water Bowl | 22 x 7.5 cm 36

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Chosun Vase | 16 x 25.5 cm 38

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Moon Jar: Willow Moon | 40 x 44 cm 40

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Moon Jar: Blush Moon | 33 x 36 cm 42

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Moon Jar: Lavendar Moon | 34 x 35.5 cm 44

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Moon Jar: Blue Moon | 37 x 43 cm 46

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Works by Younggi Seo Moon Jar: Accompany Moon Jar: The Mystery Of The Universe Moon Jar: In The Beginning: Nature & Art Moon Jar: Nude Of Moon Jar Moon Jar: Garden Of Wisdom Moon Jar: Freedom Moon Jar: In Nature - We Can Do Korean Chassabal (Teabowl): Made in Korea, With Box Korean Chassabal (Teabowl): Made in Korea, With Box Korean Chassabal (Teabowl): Made in Korea, With Box Korean Chassabal (Teabowl) Korean Chassabal (Teabowl) Korean Chassabal (Teabowl) Flower Vase Flower Vase Flower Vase Flower Vase Flower Vase Flower Vase Flower Vase Korean Teacups (multiple items) Korean-Made Wood Fired Teacup Korean-Made Wood Fired Tea Set (4 pieces) Korean-Made Wood Fired Tea Set (4 pieces) Small Korean Teapot: Small (for green tea) (multiple items) Korean Teapot: Medium (for red tea) (multiple items) Korean Teapot: Large (for English black tea) (multiple items) Korean Teapot: Large+ (for English black tea) Korean Sukwu Jug: Small (multiple items) Korean Sukwu Jug: Medium (multiple items) Korean Sukwu Jug: Large (multiple items)

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Works by Michel Francois Moon Jar: Willow Moon Moon Jar: Midnight Blue Moon Moon Jar: Blue Moon Moon Jar: Blush Moon Moon Jar: Lavender Moon Flambé & Celadon Water Bowl Chosun Vase Teabowl: Chun Hare’s Fur Teabowl: Chun Hare’s Fur Teabowl: Chun Hare’s Fur Teabowl: Chun Hare’s Fur Teabowl: Chun Hare’s Fur Teabowl: Yellow Celadon Teabowl: Tien Mu Black Teabowl: Tien Mu Black Teabowl: Copper Red Teabowl: Copper Red Korean Teacup: Copper Red Korean Teacups (multiple items)

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Published by the Leach Pottery © 2019 All rights reserved Editor: Dr Matthew Tyas Design & Production: The St Ives Printing & Publishing Company Text © The Authors, 2019 Images © Paul Mounsey 2019 Published & distributed by the Leach Pottery Leach Pottery, Higher Stennack, St Ives, Cornwall TR26 2HE. +44 (0)1736 799703 www.leachpottery.com All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical or otherwise without prior permission of the Leach Pottery. The rights of those identified as the authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright Designs and Patents Act of 1998.

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