Focusing on the development of skill, technique and Korean traditions, taught and instructed directly by master Kwak.

Dates: March 5–8, 2025; each day from 10:00 to 17:30 CET

Location: LerKalaset, Boeletvej 29, 8680 Ry, Denmark

Teaching hours: Morning session from 10:00 to 13:00; one-hour lunch break; afternoon session from 14:00 to 17:30.

Number of masterclass enrollments: 10

Enrollment fee: DKK 14950 / € 2004 (including 25 % VAT)

In this course, master Kwak Kyung Tae shares traditional Korean wheel-throwing techniques which have been passed down through the generations and remain largely unavailable to western audiences. 

This intensive four-day course is uniquely taught by Master Kwak Kyung Tae in Korean, simultaneously translated and interpreted into English through his apprentice. The goal is for the participants to develop a solid foundation of skill based on tradition and intentionality, demanding a reason for every movement on the wheel. This way, you will develop a stronger connection between mind and hand.

Also included with the course ticket:

• stoneware clay, chosen especially for wheel throwing

• Korean handmade tools to use during the class and take home afterwards (Cutting off tool, Trimming tool, Shammy, Clay knife). Normal price 50 €

• lunch and snacks

• coffee/tea

• access to the studio before and after sessions: The LerKalaset studio and its facilities will be open before the morning session from 07:30 and again in the evening from 18:30 to 22:00 for all course participants to use freely.

If you wish one or more items to be fired and glazed, this is agreed and settled separately with LerKalaset. Fired items must be collected at LerKalaset.

Learning Korean wheel-throwing techniques

This course distills the essence of Korean throwing philosophy and deconstructs each step in the making process to provide a clear, direct, and repeatable framework for participants to follow and brings together a selection of the most essential techniques, where we aim to bridge the gap between a master potter’s lifetime of artistic and production secrets with an eager audience hungry for the wisdom within Korea’s ancient clay tradition and practices.

All levels, from beginner to advanced are welcome without discrimination. Although the main curriculum will be offered to all participants equally, we cater to each person’s level and ambitions with further 1:1 guidance throughout the class. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and will be given the opportunity to see the master demonstrate a form they are interested in outside of our curriculum.

Those who are curious about the discipline of Korean Ceramic traditions will find inspiration from the efficiency inherent in the hand movements and will see great progress in their own practice.

Topics covered and practiced:

• History and context of the Korean approach to clay sourcing, storage and preparation

• Spiral wedging (Gomak-milgi) and closing the spiral into a cylindrical form for more efficient centering

• Fundamentals of centering a large mass of clay for throwing off the hump, with
  emphasis on relaxing the clay for better clay response

• Exploration of sabal (teabowl) making, with a breakdown of steps to better understand each phase of the making process and finger placements

• Korean style trimming demo using handmade tools and understanding the harmonic relationship between throwing and trimming in relation to the final form

• Developing a more discerning “eye” for line and form by separating the structural and shaping phases of throwing

• Demo of cylinders, plates, and teapots off the hump with advanced techniques

• Large sabal (bowl), hangari (Jars), dalhangari (Moon Jar, 2 piece joining technique)

• Demo of one form/concept that each participant is interested in making will be shown on the last day, answering the question, “I wonder how the master would approach X.” 

• demo of and work with the decorating techniques Dipping Buncheong and Brushing Buncheong 

• demo of Inhwamoon Buncheong

• Discussion on developing a ‘practice’ on your own and progression outline for
  self-study.

Practical information regarding transport and accommodation:

If you need accommodation close to the studio, we recommend Knudhule Badehotel https://knudhule.dk/ or Lyng Dal Hotel https://www.lyngdal-hotel.dk/english .

If you arrive by car, there is free parking in connection with the studio. If you travel by public transport, there are trains and buses from Aarhus to Ry. From Billund and Aarhus airports, Pick-up can be arranged for €60 or a taxi for around €130. Alternatively and cheaper options are bus and train from both airports.

Registration takes place upon payment. Once you have received the order confirmation per email, you are registered for the Masterclass. The invoice you receive per email shortly thereafter is valid as your ticket. (Note that both order confirmation and invoice will be issued in the Danish language). Your registration is binding. Refund or exchange will only take place in the event that LerKalaset reschedules or cancels the dates. You may sell your ticket if you are prevented from participating. If so, please inform LerKalaset of the name and email address of the new participant.