In Reverence to the Feminine : Kanghee RYU | River Goddess 2 류강희

River Goddess 2 류강희 Kanghee RYU, 2022, Ceramic | 9’’ x 8’’ x 6’’

$700

Artist Statement

Based in Alameda | unceded Ohlone land

The theme of my clay work is usually women. I think the meaning of earth (clay)-vitality, abundance and universality mashed well with the image of women-productivity, voluptuous curves and motherhood. The two pieces I am releasing this time are particularly focused on my own identity of femininity. The Korean etymological meaning of my name, “Kanghee” is river goddess. And the meaning of my surname “RYU” is willow. My father, who had a keen eye for art, gave my name the visual image of a beautiful oriental painting depicting a river flowing through a willow forest and a river goddess, the source of the river. I have incorporated the visual image of my name into my sculptures River Goddesses by representing her hair as river water.