Gerald Peters Contemporary is pleased to present a new body of work by YoonJee Kwak.

In my new series of sculptural vessel, “Patterned Memories: Dori Series,” I delve into the concept of “Dori, 도리.” Inspired by the Korean word “Mok-dori,” which refers to a muffler or scarf, “Dori” originates from the gesture of draping something round over an object. Additionally, “Dori” holds another meaning in the word, representing the proper path or method individuals should follow, both literally and abstractly. These dual meanings serve as the foundation for my exploration of human relationships and connections. Incorporating fabric onto my ceramic sculptural vessels allows me to visually convey the natural flow and connection inherent in human relationships, echoing the gesture of “scarfing” as a symbol of gathering one’s thoughts and emotions. By infusing my sculptures with the essence of “Dori,” I invite viewers to contemplate the intricacies of human connections, the paths we choose to follow, and the patterns of memories that shape our lives.

(Yoonjee Kwak)

Yoonjee Kwak is an artist and educator originally from South Korea. With a passion for artistic expression, Yoonjee has participated in various artist residencies and conducted workshops both nationally and internationally, all while showcasing her art in numerous prestigious venues. Yoonjee is a former long-term resident artist at the Archie Bray Foundation in MT (2017-2019) and Pottery Northwest in WA (2021-2022). She earned her MFA in ceramics from the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York, 2014 and her BFA in ceramics and glass from Hong-Ik University in Seoul, South Korea, 2012.