Kwirak Choung

Kwirak Choung’s surfaces evoke the patina of moving water and the sparkling yet subdued depth of mineral clay and earth. The relationship between painting and ceramics is tacit here as the surface of his vessels are layered in veils of colour and rivulets of glazing. They are both painterly and sculptural at the same time. Following his studies at the National Art School, and later a Masters from Monash University, Kwirak delved into high temperature stoneware ceramics, where anagama firing became a key to unlock a deeper interest in harmony of form and surface. Forever in search for this harmony, Choung utilised his burgeoning expertise in wood fired kilns alongside his knowledge on the concepts of Taoism and Buddhism to evolve his practice. Layered with cloaks of natural ash glaze, his bulbous vessels speak of a time of meditation and reflection. “My practice is focused on the idiosyncratic character of materials I use. My work can be maximized and expressed through natural interplays in a kiln environment during a 3-5 days of long wood firing process.”