The Time of Clay Layered in a Hanok... Seoul Museum of Craft Art Hosts 《A House Where Time Accumulates》

Clay rises slightly every time a hand touches it, and that repetition holds the time that has passed until it becomes a single form. Ceramic works placed inside an old Hanok show this relationship between the time of production, the human body, and space.
 

The Seoul Museum of Craft Art is presenting 《A House Where Time Accumulates》 at the Hanok ‘Craft Annex’ within the museum from the 1st to the 29th of this month. This exhibition was selected through the 2026 citizen communication craft program ‘Craft Together @ Hanok Annex’ call for proposals; it is curated by curator Kwon Sin-ae and features ceramic artists Ko Yu-yeon, Moon Hye-ju, and Lee Myeong-jin.

What stands out in this exhibition is the relationship between the works and the Hanok that surrounds them. Unlike typical exhibition halls where one views works along high walls, ceramic furniture and objects are placed throughout to match the low perspective of the Hanok, which is organized around rooms. Visitors can observe how the size, weight, and balance of objects create changes in the space and body movements by moving around or looking closely at the works.

The three artists all draw different stories from the common process of repeatedly layering clay. Artist Ko Yu-yeon imagines the possibility of current objects being read like artifacts after a long time has passed. By creating forms with clay and repeating or combining them, she reveals the structure and time accumulated in the objects.

Artist Moon Hye-ju focuses on the traces of hands and the body left during the production process. She repeats clay shaping, coiling, and knitting, and layers or weaves together stoneware clay, Hanji, and other materials. Not only the finished result, but the labor and time invested in making a single object become elements that constitute the surface of the work.

Artist Lee Myeong-jin expands ceramics into the realm of architecture. He creates objects that sit between the human body and space, such as pillars, lighting, benches, and stools. He focuses on the support, balance, and repeating structures that occur during the process of building up layers of clay.

Materials that allow for a closer look at the process of how the works are made are also provided. Through artist interviews and production process videos, visitors can see the hand movements and production methods accumulated behind the finished works. An artist talk will also be held on the 16th at 5:00 PM at the outdoor pilotis between Museum Exhibition Building 1 and Building 2.

The Seoul Museum of Craft Art is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and admission closes 30 minutes before the end of operation. It is closed every Monday.