In 1978 Dae-sup Kwon had a chance encounter that determined the course of his artistic life, “I was studying painting when I came across a white porcelain moon jar from the Joseon Dynasty at an antique shop in Seoul. I was enthralled by its graceful beauty, it was love at first sight. That jar, so simple at first glance, left me with so many different impressions I decided right there and then to become a potter instead of a painter.”

Kwon has produced moon jars ever since, devoting all of his artistic energies to this single type of pottery.
The complexities of creating moon jars from two hemispheres, the long firing time at high kiln heat  and Kwon’s high expectations all conspire to make his moon jars exceptional, with no more than four to six works leaving his workshop each year.
Originating from the 17th and18th century, the function of the Moon Jar remains unclear. Some think it was intended as a vessel for storing ingredients while others believe that it was used during royal ceremonies.  Either way, it was and remain an epitome of Korea’s rich ceramic culture with a long, illustrious history and Kwon is considered its latter-day master.

The surface of the jar has no patterns nor decorations but a gentle milky-white sheen, almost translucent, reminiscent of a full moon in the night sky.   It is praised for its colorless purity, upon which slight imperfections in the material varying tones and effects produced in the kiln appear almost regal.

In the words of the artist, "I try to produce work that needs no addition or subtraction. I wish to create work that has an imposing presence but harmonizes with its surroundings, regardless of where and when it is displayed. It should give peace of mind and a sense of comfort to all who look at it.”

His work has been exhibited internationally including showings at the National Museums of Korea, Mexico, Russia and Senegal.