KyoungHwa Oh was born in Seoul, Korea, where she spent her childhood and naturally developed a connection to traditional Korean ceramics (Koryo Celadon). Oh studied fashion design in Korea and worked for five years as a designer before coming to the United States to gain more design experience. While in the United States, she became interested in working with clay and changed her plans to study ceramics.
KyoungHwa Oh is a professor of art and the gallery director of 437CO at Colorado Mesa University (Grand Junction). She joined CMU in the fall of 2011, where she imparts her knowledge and passion for ceramics and foundation courses in the art and design department. Her role is part of an initiative to expose art students to unique artistic approaches. Oh’s work was selected in numerous juried and invitational exhibitions across the United States, China, Turkey, and Canada. Oh’s works are in permanent collections at Mulvane Art Museum (Topeka, KS), the International Museum of Dinnerware Design (Ann Arbor, MI), the Everson Museum of Art (Syracuse, NY), and Daum Museum of Contemporary Art (Sedalia, MO).
The International Ceramic Magazine Educators Association (ICMEA) recognized her as an emerging artist in 2010. Oh was also honored as a Ceramic Monthly Emerging Artist in 2012 and selected as a demonstrating artist for the NC Potters Conference in 2022.