Myung Urso
Myung Urso is a contemporary jewellery artist living and working in the USA. Her intuitive and spontaneous creative process leads her work to become both painterly and sculptural at once. The beauty of imperfection, simplicity and spontaneity that she inherited from Korean culture are strongly applied to her art in how she works in a playful manner with uneven and irregular shapes.
What was the inspiration for your Steinbeisser pieces?
The idea for my Steinbeisser pieces is based on my solo exhibition titled ‘Trans-Form’. The main materials for it were recycled paper berry baskets, which have functional slit holes that are reflected in the series of dishware.
Describe your work in 3 words!
Contemporary. Art. Work.
What kind of materials do you use and where do you get them from?
For Steinbeisser I used paper clay. I recently learned hand building clay work. These two clays have similar characters and qualities in many ways. With both clays I added sand for texture from Lake Ontario near where I live. I applied natural dye color from gardenia, beet, aronia powder and some food safe dye for paper clay pieces.
Which conscious lifestyle choices are you making and are you considering any new ones?
I am very much interested in a minimalist lifestyle keeping just what’s necessary. Studying solar and wind energy as an element for our future lifestyle is also one of my interests. We have been looking to install solar panels on our cabin located upstate New York. I also dream to have a electric car in the near future. I have also practising silent meditation and practising mindfulness throughout the day. I became more appreciative of walking, doing yoga and cooking good food.
What have you rebelled against in the past and what are you rebelling against now?
I dreamed and challenged myself rather than rebelled in order to expand my own native Korean traditional boundaries to become a more able woman/person. Following my dream, I studied abroad and travelled to experience many different cultures. I achieved quite a lot as a young woman. Since I settled down where I live in Rochester, New York, USA, with my husband, three dogs and two cats, I am quite content with my surroundings. I now follow through what I see within myself as an artist.