Tag: park yeon tae

Seven Year Yearning: Ceramics by Korean Potter Park Yeon Tae

By:
Ceramics Korea PARK Yeon Tae

Teaware by Park Yeon Tae in our shop->

It was love at first sight when I came across the work of Korean potter Park Yeon Tae at the 2017 Chasabal (Teabowl) Festival in Mungyeong, Korea. The alluring warmth and vibrant lines of his buncheong work triggered a immediate connection and a flood of inspirations.

Buncheong teapot by Park Yeon Tae
Potter Park Yeon Tae pouring tea in his tearoom adjacent to his gallery

The Chasabal Festival is an annual spring event that takes place inside an open movie set in Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park that is approximately a three hour bus and taxi ride from Seoul. The park, located on the historic Joseon road from Seoul to Busan, has a towering stone gate and vast hanok village. (Click here to see more photos from the 2017 festival).

The historic Juheulgwan gate at Mungyeong Saejae. The gate controlled the traffic of the Yeongnam path from Seoul to Busan during the Joseon period.

The primary purpose of my first visit to Korea in 2017 was to go to the well-known Icheon Ceramics Festival that was taking place in Seolbong Park from late April to early May. I had high expectations for the festival but came away unfulfilled because it felt more like a gathering for pottery-makers and students rather than for the users and connoisseurs of handmade pottery (ie people like me). I couldn’t fully grasp how the entire festival was organized and probably missed many key exhibits because I couldn’t read or speak Korean.

Following the disappointing trip to Icheon, my time in the country was nearing its end and I only had one full day left. As I moped in my hotel room in Seoul, I did a random Internet search and came across the Chasabal Festival and decided to pay a visit.

I really enjoyed my serendipitous visit to Mungyeong despite the long trek there from Seoul East Bus Terminal. The countryside was beautiful, venders were very local, and I saw some great handmade pots. It also gave me a tantalizing glimpse into the local tea culture and life in rural Korea.

Buncheong Jar by Park Yeon Tae displayed at the 2017 Mungyeong Chasabal Festival

Of all the work featured at the festival, I was most enchanted by Mr. Park’s, so I eagerly waited for him at his booth while he participated in an event at the festival. My hope was to meet him and get his permission to bring his work to the US. Unfortunately, I had to leave to catch the bus back to Seoul before he returned, so I didn’t get to meet him.

Fast forward seven years to October 2024 and I finally got to meet Park Yeon Tae at his studio during my second visit to Korea. His house and studio are on a hill in Mungyeong, past soybean and red chili pepper fields that were coming into season.

Korean potter Park Yeon Tae next to his wood-firing kilns
Dal hang-ari or “moon jar” offerings on the kilns at Gaunyo.
The chambers of the climbing kiln.

Two large wood kilns next to the studio were adorned with beautiful moon jars. “I built everything myself,” he said, as he pointed to the studio next door with a gallery above. When I commented that his kiln chambers were much taller than the ones I’m used to seeing, he smiled and explained, “I’m tall. I designed it so that I don’t have to bend down too much when I load the kiln.”

Calligraphy above the door of Park Yeon Tae’s studio with the writing “Gaeundoyo 加恩陶窯”
Pottery studio of Park Yeon Tae
Gallery above the studio

The outside view of Park Yeon Tae’s studio, gallery and tearoom.

I tried to interview Mr. Park, as I always do for my blog posts, but this was far from easy since I don’t speak Korean and he doesn’t speak English. What I took away from our basic conversations, with the help of my Korean Canadian friend who accompanied me, were a few insights.

First, Mr. Park wanted to become an artist when he went to university but not necessarily in ceramics. Second, Mr. Park eventually graduated from Dankook University’s Graduate School of Ceramics, but he learned much of the practical skills as a potter from his mentor living in Icheon. Third, Mr. Park settled in Mungyeong because his wife is from the area. I had met his wife at the festival 7 years ago and promised that I’ll be back in touch.

The view of the window of Park Yeon Tae’s tearoom.

Seeing that I was eager to ask more questions, Mr. Park joked and asked, “are you writing a book about me?” Mr. Park makes pots, drives a Jeep, camps, and practices tea, which proves my theory that good artists have a good sense of humor and a broad capacity for fun.

Tea pot with white slip and silver lid by Park Yeon Tae

After the tour of his studio, Mr. Park invited us to his tearoom and poured tea, while soft jazz played in the background. It was wonderful to share the tea, watch his teapot in action, and appreciate the beautiful view of the mountains from the tearoom window. After selecting some pieces for my shop, it was time to catch the bus back to Seoul.

“Master of tea utensils” recognition Issued by the Korean Tea Practitioners Association for Park Yeon Tae

As I sat on the bus back to Seoul, I wondered how difficult it would be to learn Korean. And although it is a little late to start at this point in my life, I promised myself to go back again to Mungyeong to see this talented potter and explore the beautiful Mungyeong countryside.