My ceramic forms are an exploration of the relationship between organic forms and Victorian-inspired bases, reflecting my personal journey from Korea to the West, a transition that profoundly shaped my artistic perspective by merging Eastern traditions with Western aesthetics. As a child, I was fascinated by the unique beauty of organic forms, which my father admired for their natural beauty and intricate details, inspiring me to explore how natural shapes interact with crafted elements. I was always struck by the way the natural shapes and pictorial colors of these rocks could be elevated by the right base, transforming them into objects of beauty and wonder.
Today, I craft organic forms that draw from my memories of my father and his appreciation for natural beauty. Each piece is carefully crafted to evoke the beauty and mystery of these ancient objects, with a focus on the harmony between the rocks and the bases that support them. I believe that the base is just as important as the rock itself, providing a foundation that accentuates the rock’s unique contours and colors, elevating its visual impact and creating a harmonious interplay between natural and crafted elements.
My interest in Victorian aesthetics stems from my fascination with the intersection of Eastern and Western art and design. The Victorian era, marked by rapid industrialization and cultural change in the West, is reflected in the intricate and lush designs of that time. I draw inspiration from chinoiserie, the imitation of Asian motifs and techniques in Western art and design, as well as patterns by Victorian artists and designers like William Morris, whose intricate and organic motifs inspire the decorative elements and surface textures in my work, bridging traditional craftsmanship with nature-inspired designs.
Through my ceramic forms, I aim to explore the cultural exchange and evolution that has taken place between Eastern and Western art and design over time. I am particularly interested in how different styles and motifs have blended to create new forms of art and craft, such as my integration of scholar rocks with Victorian-inspired bases. This blending is evident in the way I incorporate natural textures with ornate, historical designs, illustrating a dialogue between tradition and innovation that continues to influence contemporary art. By combining the natural beauty of organic forms with the stylized bases that elevate their value, I seek to create objects that reflect the harmony and tension between different cultural influences.
Each piece I create is deeply personal and reflective of my experiences and interests. I hope my work will inspire others to explore the rich history of Eastern and Western art and design and to appreciate the beauty and complexity of these two cultures. In a world that often emphasizes difference and division, I believe art has the power to bring people together and bridge cultural divides by fostering conversations around shared aesthetics. Exhibiting pieces that blend Eastern natural forms with Western decorative traditions invites viewers to reflect on their interconnectedness. My ceramic forms are a small contribution to that effort, a reminder that beauty can be found in the places where different cultures meet and mingle.
JINBLOSSOM KIM PLATI
jinblossomart@gmail.com
Exhibitions
2025 NCECA Juried Student Exhibition, Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Salt Lake City, Utah
Conscious Dirt, Pearl Conard Art Gallery, Mansfield, OH
Group Exhibition, Roy G Biv Gallery, Columbus, OH
OSU Faculty Show, Hopkins Hall Gallery, Columbus, OH
2024 The Fifth of Nine Season 20 Grand Jury Awards, Manifest Gallery, Cincinnati, OH
Sun Spell the MFA Exhibition, Urban Art Space Gallery, Columbus, OH
2023 Aggregate -juried exhibition, KSY Downtown Gallery, Kent, OH
The Functional Show, Hopkins Hall Gallery, Columbus, OH
Current Conversations- NCECA, American Sign Museum, Cincinnati, OH
Art for Food and From Fire to Table, The Gallery at Summit Hotel, Cincinnati, OH
2022 Kiln Meeting, Urban Art Space Gallery, Columbus, OH
Indications, The Ministry of Culture & Tourism Gallery, Columbus, OH
We are still here, busting our glass, Hopkins Hall Gallery, Columbus, OH
Thought to Thought, Hopkins Hall Gallery, Columbus, OH
2020 The Resident Artist Exhibition, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT
Oak Street Mansion Gallery Exhibition, Oak Street Mansion Gallery, Kansas City, MO
2020 BFA Exhibition, H & R Block Artspace, Kansas City, MO
Fielding, Virtual Exhibition, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
We Have Our Seats, Now What? Leeds-Voulkos Art Center, Kansas City, MO
2019 Touchy Subject, Stern Ceramics Building, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Light Color Space, Community Christian Church, Kansas City, MO
Emerging Artist Exhibition, Lead Bank Crossroads, Kansas City, MO
Warehaus, Stern Ceramics Building, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Journey to the East: Connection, Not Border, Leeds-Voulkos Art Center, Kansas City, MO
Zahner Co. Student Design Competition, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
2018 Hot Stuff, Stern Ceramics Building, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
2017 Transmute, Stern Ceramics Building, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
2016 Spring Student Art Show, Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria, VA
9th International Texas Teapot Tournament, Juried Exhibition,18 Hands Gallery 18 LLC, Houston, TX
Grants and Awards
2025 NCECA Juried Student Exhibition, acquired by Private Collector, Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Salt Lake City, Utah
Group Exhibition, acquired by Private Collector, Roy G Biv Gallery, Columbus, OH
2023 Aggregate -juried exhibition, acquired by Private Collector, KSY Downtown Gallery, Kent, OH
2020 Summer Residency program, Presidential Merit Scholarship, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT
NCECA Juried Student Exhibition, 2nd place, The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), Richmond, VA
Regina Brown Undergraduate Students Fellowships, The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), Boulder, CO
Ken Ferguson Scholarship, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Presidential List, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
2019 Lead Bank Emerging Artist Prize, Kansas City, MO
Presidential List, Kansas City Art Institution, Kansas City, MO
Partners Participant Scholarship, Anderson Ranch Arts Center & Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Zahner Student Design Competition Recipient, A. Zahner CO & Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Ken Ferguson Scholarship, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
2016 Dean’s List, Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC), Annandale, VA
Honorable Mention Student Art show, Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria, VA
9th International Texas Teapot Tournament, acquired by Private Collector, C.A.M.E.O and 18 Hands Gallery18, LLC, Houston, TX
Publication
2025 NCECA Exhibitions 2025, p.157, "Scholar Tree"
2024 OSU MFA Thesis Catalogues, "From East to West: Embracing the intertwined One”
2020 Ceramic Monthly, April, p.16 “exposure” 2020 NCECA Juried Student Exhibition
2019 Kansas City Live, “KCAI End of Semester Exhibition and Sale”, Broadcast in-studio of 41 Action News, December 2019
Art & Design Auction, Zahner Student Design Competition, A. Zahner Co. & Kansas City Art Institute, , Kansas City, MO
WDAF-Fox, “the Art & Design Auction”, Fox 4 News Morning show
Artist Residencies
2020 Summer Residency Program, Archie Bray Foundation, Helena, MT
2019 Summer Residency Program, Anderson Ranch Arts Center, Snowmass Village, CO
Professional Experience
2024-Current Lecturer, Ceramics, Department of Art, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
2021-2024 Instructor of Record and Graduate Teaching Associate, Department of Art, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
ART 3002 Ceramics: Structure
2021 Studio Assistant, Cary Esser Studio, Kansas City, MO
2021 Workshop of China Paint, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
2020-2021 Studio monitor, Ceramic Department, Kansas City Art Institute,Kansas City, MO
2019-2020 Glaze Lab Assistant, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
2019 Ceramic Department Exhibition Committee, Kansas City, MO
2018 Intern/Studio Assistant, Melanie Sherman Studio, Kansas City, MO
2011 Owner and Photographer by Hera Total Wedding, Annandale, VA
Education
2024 MFA Department of Art of Ceramics, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
2020 BFA Department of Art of Ceramics, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, MO
Technical Profile
Ceramics
Knowledge in the formulation of clay and glaze, with the ability to execute these practices. Comprehension of mold making techniques, including crack molds, multi-piece molds, and slip casting techniques. Advanced knowledge of the Potter’s wheels. Fabricating tiles using press molds, and construction through solid building and hollow building and experience using a sand blaster. Experience firing gas and electric kilns; soda and salt firing. Experience using underglaze, glaze, decals, china paint, luster as well as carpentry, slip trailing, Sgraffito, Mishima, mono print and engraving.
Fibers
Advanced in hand knitting, crochet, and sawing machine. Experience using machine
knitting, and paper making.
Photography
Skilled in digital and manual photography including advanced knowledge in the
utilization of various lenses and accessories in the field, and printing processes.
Knowledge in the use of studio quality lightings, and the utilization of tools to
create ideal compositions outside a studio environment. Skilled in digital
program such as Adobe Photoshop with Lightroom.
Language
English and Korean
Artistic Journey
My ceramic forms reflect a blend of Eastern and Victorian aesthetics, showcasing my personal journey from Korea to the West and the intricate beauty found in nature-inspired designs.
Ceramics
Bridging Cultures Through Art
Exploring the fusion of Eastern and Western artistic traditions in my work.
Inspiration and Craftsmanship
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