ANNOUNCING NEW PUBLICATION
Korean Ceramics: The Scholar’s Vision, The Photographer’s Eye
We are pleased to announce the release of Korean Ceramics: The Scholar’s Vision, The Photographer’s Eye — a landmark volume that presents a rare and insightful dialogue between Joseon Dynasty porcelain and contemporary photography.
At the heart of this book is a compelling exchange between Director Yangmo Chung — former Director of the National Museum of Korea and a leading authority on Joseon ceramics — and acclaimed photographer Bohnchang Koo, whose portraits of Joseon white and blue-and-white porcelain have captivated audiences worldwide. Their conversation is thoughtfully arranged and mediated by Heakyum Kim, a renowned expert in Korean art and Director of HK Art and Antiques.
The book features introductory texts and expert commentary by Director Chung on Koo’s photographs, offering readers an accessible English-language entry point into the cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance of Joseon porcelain — an artistic tradition that continues to influence Korean contemporary art.
As international interest in Korean art continues to grow, access to authoritative English-language resources remains limited. This publication addresses that gap, bringing together exceptional ceramics from museum collections across Asia, Europe, and the Americas, and situating them within a broader artistic and cultural context.
We believe this book will serve as an invaluable resource for collectors, scholars, and art enthusiasts interested in Korean ceramics and their enduring relevance in the world of contemporary art.
Published by Hali Publishing Ltd, UK
176 pages
Available now at HK Art and Antiques. Contact: [email protected]
ASIA WEEK NEW YORK AUTUMN 2025 EXHIBITION
Spanning a Lifetime: Early and Late Works by Cho Yong-IK
September 19 – October 3, 2025
We are pleased to present Spanning a Lifetime: Early and Late Works by Cho Yong-IK, a solo exhibition of the late Cho Yong-Ik (1934–2023), a master of Korean abstract art and one of the foundational figures of the Dansaekhwa movement. The exhibition will run from September 19 through October 3, 2025, and it is open by appointment.
This exhibition marks a rare opportunity for U.S. audiences to engage with the profound legacy of Cho Yong-Ik, whose work has been featured in the Paris Biennale, São Paulo Biennale, and housed in major collections including M+ Museum, Leeum Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea.
About the Artist:
Cho Yong-Ik was a pioneering South Korean artist and a key figure in the Dansaekhwa (monochrome painting) movement. Born in Bukcheong, Korea, in 1934, he studied painting at Seoul National University under the esteemed art historian and painter Kim Byung-ki, whose emphasis on artistic independence became a lifelong guiding principle for Cho. Emerging in the wake of the Korean War, Cho sought to redefine Korean identity through abstraction. His artistic vision was deeply informed by his passion for ancient Korean ceramics and artifacts, which he avidly collected. This reverence for tradition merged with his desire to reshape Korea’s cultural reality, resulting in a practice that bridged history and innovation. While many Dansaekhwa artists adhered strictly to muted palettes, Cho introduced subtle yet intentional use of color within the monochrome framework. His surfaces, often layered with delicately applied acrylics, echoed the translucent glazes of Joseon ceramics, imbuing his work with both material sensitivity and emotional depth. His process—meditative, tactile, and rhythmically executed—reflected a philosophical inquiry into repetition, impermanence, and the act of making.
Cho represented Korea in major international exhibitions, including the 1967 and 1969 Paris Biennales and the 1967 São Paulo Biennale, and held solo shows at significant institutions such as the Sungkok Art Museum, Leeum Samsung Museum of Art, and the Arko Art Center. His work is housed in prominent permanent collections, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), Gwangju Museum of Art, Leeum, Walkerhill Museum, Seoul Museum, and M+ Museum, Hong Kong.
About the Gallery
HK Art and Antiques LLC, led by director Heakyum Kim, specializes in Korean classical paintings, ceramics, sculptures, and modern & contemporary art.
Heakyum Kim joined Christie’s New York in 1993 and worked with the department of Korean Art for 22 years, helping to establish market leadership for the department worldwide. She is a renowned specialist for Joseon Dynasty ceramics and modern art. During the course of her career, Ms. Kim has placed major works with the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, the British Museum, the Cleveland Museum, the Metropolitan Museum, and the Peabody-Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts, along with important private collections internationally.
