Hong Sung-Hwan

ARTIST’S BACKGROUND

Sung-Hwan Hong is a dynamic young Korean glass artist who has pioneered a unique and innovative new glass-making technique. He has just had his first solo exhibition in the UK where he launched a breathtaking collection of glass art created with the multi-aperture blowing irons he has worked five years to develop and perfect. Hong studied ceramics at the Hong-ik College of Fine Art in Seoul. He then moved to New Zealand in 1990 and pursued an interest in photography. He stayed in Christchurch for a year and a half, studying at the polytechnic and also learning a new language English. He then returned to craft design, gaining his first Masters degree in 1995. This was followed by an intensive period when he concentrated on expanding his glass-making skills. He spent five years in Prague at the Academy of Arts, Architecture and Design, specialising in glass in architecture. He recently achieved a second Masters degree in ceramics and glass, awarded by the Helsinki Academy of Art and Design. This MA was awarded for his research and development of the multi-aperture blowing iron and was completed in March 2005. In addition, his work in the Master of Arts Festival Exhibition received a prize for best in show. Hong has exhibited in South Korea, Japan, the Czech Republic, Hungary, USA and Finland. In 2004, he spent a month as artist in residence at North Lands Creative Glass, Scotland. In 2004, a collaborative piece Hong created with London-based glass artist Matthew Durran was short listed for the Bombay Sapphire Glass prize. Hong has taken part in many glass symposia, from Australia to the Ukraine. He recently travelled to Delhi where he taught at a conference and kiln forming workshop. He was the glass symposium coordinator for the 2003 conference in Happsalu, Estonia. He has also restored, designed and made electric glass furnaces. As well as being a student of glass, Hong has letured and at Kookmin and Namseoul Universities, Korea, the Korean school in Prague, the University of Art and Design, Helsinki, and Richmond Adult Community College, Surrey.

EXHIBITIONS

Trail of Glass, Kew, 2005

Just Glass Rights Reserved 2003- 2012