Visions In Clay 2023
![Richard Chung](https://deltacollege.edu/sites/default/files/styles/directory_grid_item/public/chung_profile.jpeg?itok=SGuffBYv)
Richard Chung
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1977 and raised in the California Bay Area, Richard Chung received his B.A. degree at the University of California, Berkeley, under the guidance of renowned ceramic artist Richard Shaw.
Seeking further artistic growth, Richard Chung embarked on an enriching experience in Omaha, Nebraska, where he worked as a studio assistant for the esteemed artist Jun Kaneko. This invaluable mentorship allowed him to immerse himself in the daily life of an artist, gaining unique insights into the creative process and honing his skills firsthand.
Richard Chung's art is included in prestigious permanent collections, including the Daum Museum of Contemporary Art and the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art.
I am drawn to the human figure due to its familiarity and accessibility. Clay, as an immediate and responsive medium, allows me to explore the delicate balance between representation and expression. The ultimate challenge is to infuse an inanimate material with emotion and gesture, imparting a sense of vitality and life into it.
The ceramic surface offers a unique blend and process of chemical reactions, heat, glass, and color. Constantly experimenting and developing various techniques and methods to treat the surface, I often involve multiple glaze firings in my work. On average, my pieces undergo 4-6 firing cycles, usually reaching Cone 04, with occasional Cone 5 firings.
My sources of inspiration and subjects vary. Sometimes, I reference pictures or draw from memories. Other times, a figure or face emerges organically as I handle a chunk of clay, and the creative process revolves around revealing the rest of the subject. This approach allows me to work in different modes, at times taking full control of the steering wheel, while at other times, it feels like I'm going for a ride.
M-134 (Motion Series)
Multiple Fired Glazed Ceramic, Cone 04
15” x 7” x 4”
2023
$1200