Prof. Hwang Jong-Gu (1919-2003) began ceramics education in the university for the first time in Korea when he joined Ewha Womans University in 1959. His commitment to ceramics education was deeply affected by his father, Hwang In-Choon, who preserved celadon techniques when Korea was under Japanese rule. He studied at 세토요업학교 and served as a teacher 개성공업공업학교. Since he joined Ewha Womans University, he placed all his efforts on inheriting Korea’s traditional arts culture. He tried to unveil a new horizon for modern ceramics by reinterpreting celadon which represent Korea’s traditional wares. To this end, he organized a class which analyzed and recreated celadons’ traditional shapes and patterns into contemporary styles to be applied to daily wares. Such an attempt led to develop curriculums that allowed students to study modern ceramics as well as traditional wares such as celadon, white porcelains and bunchung wares. Before long after the foundation of Ceramics Department, a low-fire kiln was built for the first time, and students experimented a variety of pigments.

     Besides, students were also able to develop new designs and have a chance to become a creative ceramic artist by studying how to deal with clay and diverse modelings and patterns. As such, Prof. Hwang took a lead in developing professional ceramics education in a parallel with the active engagement of the Research Institute of Ceramics to open up a new chapter for modern ceramics in the 1970s when modern ceramics was not even widely introduced. Building on the accomplishment made by Prof. Hwang, ceramics education activities at Ewha Womans University have become more vibrant, and the discovery of kiln site and the publication of journal, Study of Ceramic Art, laid a foundation for Korea’s ceramics. Prof. Hwang had firmly served as a potter, scientist and artist by fully engaging in ceramics related experiments, productions and education until his retirement in 1984.