Jaewon Jeong

Biography
Jaewon Jeong began her ceramic journey in 2005 in South Korea. She earned her BFA in Visual Design from Hannam University and completed her Master’s degree in Ceramic Art at Hongik University in 2008. After moving to Austin in 2010, she has continued creating functional yet uniquely designed ceramic works for daily life. Drawing on her background in visual design and traditional Korean lacquerware—including mother-of-pearl inlay techniques—her recent work explores iron-painted Buncheong and other traditional forms. Through countless repeated lines and surfaces, she expresses a refined East Asian aesthetic rooted in simplicity, space, and quiet elegance.

Artist Statement: Weaving the Texture of Time
My work is a profound record of time, crafted from materials gifted by nature. It begins on the pottery wheel with repetitive movements of my hands, followed by the rhythmic patterns of Cheolhwa Buncheong (iron-painted slipware). After enduring the intense heat of the kiln, the piece undergoes a meticulous process of Ottchil (traditional lacquer) — a cycle of layering, drying, and polishing. Through this repetitive labor, I complete the physical inscription of time.
For me, creating is not merely about making objects; it is an organic medium to capture intangible time and experiences. The traces of my fingers left on the clay and the resulting surface textures honestly reflect the sensory moments I encounter. These works, deeply engraved with the flow of time, reveal how my hours pass and what patterns and colors my life manifests within the cycle of repetition.
A finished piece is not a static object but a living narrative of time that engages in a constant dialogue with the audience. I hope my work serves as a space for contemplation—a place where one can pause amidst the busyness of daily life and quietly savor the intricate textures of time that compose our existence.