Gray Dyed Korean Oak Vessel, Extra Large

Gray Dyed Korean Oak Vessel, Extra Large

Regular price: $1,875.00
Sale price: $1,875.00
Regular price
Unit price: per

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Kim Min Wook
Korean Oak
Dimensions: 15.75W x 7.5H

A stunning gallery-quality piece, this oblong bowl has been hand turned and sanded to be smooth on the outside. The edges as well as the inside of the bowl have been left to highlight naturally occurring craggles and cracks. Each nook and cranny tells a different story of what this tree has witnessed in its lifetime. Korean Oak produces acorns (dotori) and has been used in cooking for centuries. Our favorite is dotiri-muk or, acorn jelly. A savory, jiggly, slippery food that acts as a vehicle for its sauce. The practice originated in the mountains of Korea where these Korean Oak trees were prevelant. We love this story from Wikipedia: “During the first of the Japanese invasions of Korea in the Joseon Dynasty, King Seonjo took refuge in the north. Food shortages due to the invasion made it difficult for the villagers to find something to serve the king and his entourage, so they hurriedly made them dotori-muk. Later, even after returning to the palace, King Seonjo often ate dotori-muk as a sign that he would not forget the hardships of the war.” One of the largest bowls we’ve ever curated this piece is dyed and finished with oil and wax. Kim Min Wook was recently a LOEWE Craft Prize nominee. 1 of 1.

Care: Not for wet foods. Dust or wipe with a barely damp cloth when needed.

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The final product is beautiful, but the process is sweat and work and ultimately, in incredibly amount of effort.

Kim Min Wook has always had a fascination with making things beautiful, and feels that it’s in his DNA. The artist gravitated towards woodworking and has always had an affinity for trees. They are the longest living and tallest living thing on the planet, afterall. While some people like the feel dirt in their hands, and other’s like water, Kim liked the feel of wood. After taking a woodworking class with 20 other students, Kim was only one of only three students to become a woodworker. It was in this class he realized he was different. While most people think about how they can transform wood to make something for themselves, Kim always tried to revive the innate beauty of the tree. Kim says, “Even if my talent is lacking, wood is so beautiful it makes up for where I lack. It fixes me in places, and compensates for my shortcomings. I follow where the wood takes me, I leave my own ambition at the door.” Kim Min Wook’s works are extraordinarily light in comparison to the huge log that he starts with and oftentimes, a block of wood can go from 80 pounds to 1 pound (he works with his father to carry these large pieces of lumber). Stripping away that much wood takes an enormous amount of work. The final product is beautiful, but the process is sweat and work and ultimately, in incredibly amount of effort.

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