THE LYCEUM

Hwanmin Jin

Hwanmin Jin is a South Korean ceramic artist.

Although ceramics are not new to the realm of Korean art, Jin sprinkles originality into his work by blending tradition and modernity.

In particular, Jin uses traditional Korean pottery-making methods to craft the base of the ceramic. He then uses an innovative”soap bubble” technique. The soap bubble technique allows for distinct, decorative patterns on the surface of a ceramic—bubble-shaped, circular dots.

A Lyceum contributor, Eunseo, states the following about Jin: “I find Jin interesting because he is quite experimental with his art. He combines traditional Korean methods with his own original ways to create his works! For instance, he literally blows bubbles on his ceramics to decorate them.”

Synthesizing the old and new, nonetheless, results in ceramics that are just as beautiful as those of the past. As a testament to his artistry, Jin’s work has been featured alongside organizations like UNESCO and the Hori Art Space. He has even demonstrated his techniques live!

Learn More
Selected Works
  • Breath in Moon Jar (2025): This series of white porcelain jars are of the same format and proportions. Each is assigned a number – yet the sequence remains incomplete. Jin’s attitude accepts absence and failure as forms of existence, both being and difference.
  • Leaving With Breath, Not Words (2025): This gravestone is joined by several of Jin’s porcelain jars. To him, gravestones are a bridge. They connect past with future, memory with transformation. By being placed alongside the jars, sculpture and ceramics are also connected.
Watch Hwanmin Jin’s “soap bubble” technique demonstrated live!

Discussion Questions

  1. What do you think of Jin’s “mixing” of techniques? What can these techniques tell us about his values as an artist?
  2. Refer to the resources in the “learn more” section and watch the UNESCO video.
    • How would you describe his painting process?
    • Getting involved in the artistic process is a great way to teach kids about art. Have your kids create and paint their own ceramics, like Jin does.
  3. Afterward, watch Hwanmin Jin demonstrate his “soap bubble” technique in the post linked above. What stands out to you about this technique? How does this differ from his traditional painting?

This artist was submitted by Eunseo Cho, Alumnus of the University of Georgia.

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