As Korea celebrates Hangul Day on October 9, Fullerton residents will have an opportunity to learn more about the Korean alphabet and the way one local artist incorporates her heritage into her work.

Young Shin Kim, a ceramic artist with more than two decades of experience, will be the subject of an upcoming exhibition at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center, opening November 15 and continuing through January 2. The exhibition will feature Kim’s collection of ceramic bowls, teapots, plates, vases and other works.

Kim is also being honored with the Dr. James Young Arts Legacy Award in recognition of her work as an artist.

A central element of Kim’s ceramics is her use of traditional Korean pottery techniques known as Buncheong. Her work also incorporates Hangul, the Korean writing system, connecting the ceramics to her Korean heritage.

Among the larger works in the exhibition is Restoration of Communication. The piece incorporates hanging Hangul characters above ceramic bowls. The bowls themselves also feature Hangul characters painted on their interiors using white slip.

For Kim, the use of Hangul provides a connection between language, culture and visual art. The exhibition offers visitors an opportunity to see Korean cultural traditions interpreted through contemporary ceramic work.

Hangul Day, observed each year on October 9 in Korea, commemorates the Korean alphabet. The holiday provides a timely opportunity for local residents to explore the cultural traditions represented in Kim’s work before the exhibition opens in November.

The exhibition is also bringing together students and faculty from California State University, Fullerton. Cara Salger, a student in CSUF’s art internship class, is assisting Kim with the exhibition and helping develop the artist’s vision for the gallery and promote the show.

Salger and fellow student Emerson Little have also collaborated on filming and editing a video about the exhibition.

Professor Marsha Judd, who is coordinating and curating the exhibition, is also involved in bringing Kim’s work to the Muckenthaler.

The exhibition will give Fullerton audiences an opportunity to view Kim’s ceramics while exploring the intersection of Korean heritage, language and traditional pottery techniques.

The Young Shin Kim exhibition opens November 15 at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center and will remain on view through January 2.

The Muckenthaler Cultural Center | 714-738-6595 | email: info@themuck.org | website: themuck.org
1201 W. Malvern Ave, Fullerton, CA 92833

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