Kang Seuk Keun
Wood Artist
“MOST PEOPLE USED THE WET-DRYING TECHNIQUE FOR DECORATIVE LACQUER OBJECTS, AND NO OTHER DRYING TECHNIQUE WAS TRULY DEVELOPED FOR PRACTICAL USAGE. I DEVELOPED A SPECIAL LACQUER HEAT CURING TECHNIQUE AND THEREFORE FOUND THE MOST NATURAL WAY TO GLAZE WOODEN TABLEWARE WITH LACQUER THAT HAS THE SAME USABILITY AS CERAMIC WARE TODAY.”
From his rural base in Kang Won Do, Kang Seuk Keun developed a unique lacquering technique that allows the beautifully carved ‘Hamji’ timber bowls he creates to have an enduring quality in their functional use. His work takes an innovative approach to the Korean craft technique of Ottchil (natural lacquering), and retaining a local influences.