Kim Byeol Hee View all
Reviving Tradition with Ceramic Innovation
Through her work, Kim Byeol Hee hopes to bridge the gap between modern individuals and traditional Korean culture, making it more accessible and relevant in contemporary life.
Soban 소반
The artist’s primary focus is the soban, a traditional Korean small table, from which she also draws inspiration to create tea utensils. Most surviving sobans date back to the Joseon Dynasty and are typically crafted from wood. To address wood’s natural vulnerabilities—its sensitivity to water and heat—Byeol Hee reinterprets the soban in ceramic form. This material transformation not only resolves practical limitations but also opens up new and diverse possibilities for the object’s use.
Kim Byeol Hee explores ‘traditional objects’ that have gradually lost their place in contemporary life. Through the distinctive qualities of ceramics, she reimagines these items, offering them new value and purpose. Her work has received significant recognition, including the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Excellence in Crafts and Cultural Products Award (2020, 2022). She has also presented her artistry in major exhibitions such as the 10th Anniversary Exhibition of the Yanggu Porcelain Museum and the Seoul Living Design Fair.
Her work has garnered significant recognition, including being selected for the Cultural Heritage Administration’s Excellence in Crafts and Cultural Products Award (2020, 2022). She has also showcased her artistry in major exhibitions such as the 10th Anniversary Exhibition of Yanggu Porcelain Museum and the Seoul Living Design Fair.
