Double Walled and Piercing Workshop

Master Lee Hyang Koo

The Art of the Double Wall & Korean Piercing

Instructor: Master Lee Hyang Koo (Icheon Ceramics Master)

Duration: 3 Days (July 3 - July 5, 10AM-5PM)

Prerequisite: Participants must be able to throw even-walled cylinders using at least 3 lbs of clay)

$695

Members: $575

Register Here

Day 1: Throwing the Foundation - Thursday, July 2, 10AM-5PM

Master Lee will demonstrate the precise wheel-throwing techniques required to create a double-walled vessel.

  • Technique Focus: Learn to throw a two-part system—an interior water-holding vessel and a separate exterior "skin”.

  • Precision: Participants will practice throwing cylinders with consistent wall thickness to ensure structural integrity for the subsequent carving phase.

Day 2: Assembly and Design Planning - Friday, July 3, 10AM-5PM

Once the forms reach a medium leather-hard state, the focus shifts to structural assembly and intricate design layout.

  • Joining: Learn the Master’s method for seamlessly connecting the inner and outer forms, ensuring a hollow space remains between them.

  • Patterning: Master Lee will guide students through traditional Korean motifs, such as floral or geometric patterns, teaching how to scale and repeat these designs around the vessel's circumference.

Day 3: The Korean Piercing Technique - Saturday, July 4, 10AM-5PM

The final day is dedicated to the delicate art of "piercing" (open-work) carving, a technique Lee HyangGoo is renowned for.

  • Open-Work Carving: Participants will use specialized tools to cut through the exterior wall without compromising the piece's structure.

  • Refinement: Learn the nuances of Master Lee’s philosophy on disciplined practice by refining edges and smoothing the intricate negative spaces of the carved design.

About the Master

Lee Hyang Koo is a highly regarded Korean traditional ceramics artist and a master potter officially appointed by the city of Icheon, a UNESCO Creative City for ceramics. His career in pottery began in 1969, spanning over 50 years of dedication to the craft. In 2005, he was formally recognized as a ceramic master, a testament to his profound skill and commitment to preserving traditional Korean techniques. He operates the Namyang Doye studio in Icheon, continuing a rich cultural heritage alongside his family. He is known for his mastery of various techniques, including wheel-forming, double engravings, inlay, and traditional Korean paintings, with white porcelain moon jars being among his representative works.