▲ On Sept. 1, at Loha & Gallery in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, a photograph (by Yang HeeJin·양희진, 110×90 cm) and a moon jar (by master potter Noh YoungJae·노영재, 46×45 cm) were displayed as part of the “K-Heritage: Housewarming Art Exhibition.” ⓒPhoto = The Tracker / Reporter Park Jihoon
The Tracker = Park Jihoon
SEOUL, Sept. 1, A unique exhibition blending traditional Korean heritage with contemporary photographic art is drawing attention at Loha & Gallery in Seoul’s Gangnam district. Titled K-Heritage: Housewarming Art Exhibition, the show by young photographer Yang HeeJin(양희진) runs from September 1 to 30, featuring photographic works of Joseon-era moon jars alongside actual museum-grade porcelain pieces.
Upon entering the gallery’s third floor, visitors are greeted by photographs that capture the serene and warm beauty of the moon jar(달항아리). Yang, a millennial artist, has reinterpreted the symbolic white porcelain vessels with a fresh perspective. Critics note that her canvases convey a uniquely Korean aesthetic—an atmospheric bluish tone of the original Joseon porcelain—that Western monochrome photography has struggled to express.
▲ On Sept. 1, a moon jar (by master potter Noh YoungJae·노영재, 46×45 cm) was exhibited at Loha & Gallery in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, during the “K-Heritage: Housewarming Art Exhibition.” ⓒPhoto = The Tracker / Reporter Park Ji-hoon
The centerpiece of the show is a moon jar crafted by master potter Noh YoungJae(미강 노영재), measuring 46 cm in height and 45 cm in diameter. Officially recognized by the National Heritage Administration as “heritage-grade,” the work is valued at around KRW 10 million (approx. USD 7,300). Distinguished by its golden ratio, seamless form, and milky hue, it exemplifies both the irregular charm and refined completeness that characterize the finest moon jars.
Yang’s decision to display her photographs side-by-side with the actual porcelain allows audiences to experience the harmony between two artistic worlds—visual documentation and physical craftsmanship. Her project transcends simple recording, instead exploring the deeper emotional and cultural resonance of the moon jar.
▲ On Sept. 1, a photographic work (by Yang HeeJin·양희진, 110×90 cm) was displayed at Loha & Gallery in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, during the “K-Heritage: Housewarming Art Exhibition.” ⓒPhoto = The Tracker / Reporter Park Jihoon
The series has been praised in Korea’s art scene, not only for its originality but also for revitalizing a stagnant photography market through commercial success. International collectors have also shown keen interest. A domestic financial group CEO acquired one of Yang’s works for corporate display, citing the jar’s “totemic symbolism of fortune and prosperity.” In Europe, influential collectors have begun adding Yang’s photographs to their holdings, underscoring the exhibition’s global appeal.
▲ On Sept. 1, another photographic work (by Yang HeeJin·양희진, 110×90 cm) was shown at Loha & Gallery in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, during the “K-Heritage: Housewarming Art Exhibition.” ⓒPhoto = The Tracker / Reporter Park Jihoon
Resonating with the minimalist ethos of “Less is more,” Yang’s moon jar images speak to contemporary sensibilities. “The irregular yet harmonious form of the moon jar is its greatest charm,” she explained. To date, Yang has produced over 200 works, and she is currently photographing pieces by leading figures of modern Korean art. Her exploration of the moon jar represents an ongoing journey bridging Korea’s aesthetic past, present, and future.
▲ On Sept. 1, a smaller photographic work (by Yang HeeJin·양희진, 22×22 cm) was exhibited at Loha & Gallery in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, as part of the “K-Heritage: Housewarming Art Exhibition.” ⓒPhoto = The Tracker / Reporter Park Jihoon