This photograph by Shin Mihe shows “Accord” by “hanji” (Korean paper) artist Om Myong-sook. Foreigners studying photography and hanji under Shin and Om are displaying their work at the KCDF Gallery in Insa-dong through Dec. 14.
/ Courtesy of Shin Mihe |
By Lee Hyo-won
A group of foreign residents is holding an art exhibition in Seoul, displaying their unique interpretations of “hanji” (Korean paper) craft and images of Korea caught through the camera.
Nineteen members of the Seoul International Women’s Association (SIWA), representing 10 countries around the world, are showing hanji crafts as well as photographs through Dec. 14 at the KCDF Gallery in Insa-dong.
The event is a fruition of the women’s efforts to learn new art skills during their residency here, and professional pieces by their teachers, hanji artist Om Myong-sook and photographer Shin Mihe, are also on display.
“I believe that learning new skill is one of the most enjoyable things that people can do as we move in a new environment,” said SIWA president Lily Joenoes van Bunik during the opening reception Thursday.
“Hanji is a beautiful tradition and I can now see why my wife spent all those nights working on it,” said Brazilian Ambassador Edmundo Sussumu Fujita about his wife Maria Ligaya Abeleda’s work with SIWA.
The hanji crafts incorporate the maker’s own unique, modern approach to the local tradition. Maria Fujita’s hanji lantern, for example, features flowers and trees that are native to Brazil such as the Ipe-roxo and Pau Brasil. Her husband, who is himself an artist, also contributed a paper lantern depicting the four seasons.
Visitors can view various crafts ranging from paper ware and vases to small furniture that they made at Om Studio in Itaewon. “As an instructor, I unreservedly appreciate their exposed and unexposed efforts in transforming diverse experiences and unique artistry into the form of Korea’s traditional paper,” said Om.
A corner of the exhibition shows works by four students who learned to work with the camera during their stay here. The works were selected from their portfolios based on two themes, Christmas colors and a unique view of Korea seen through foreigners’ eyes. Captured through the lens are traditional images of red peppers (Esther Thelen from the Netherlands) as well as something more contemporary such as the Red Devil football fans (Nicole Brown from Australia). Two pieces, “Fleur du mal: Red One” and “Mad-made-scapes: Red Bricks,” by their teacher can be admired as well.
“We opted to display works that aren’t just red or green, but something that reflects our stay here,” said Lorrie Gomes from the United States, who is exhibiting an image she captured of a local Buddhist temple.
The KCDF Gallery is located near exit 6 of Anguk Station on subway line 3. Enter the alleyway across from Ssamziegil and it is on your right. Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call (02) 733-9041. |
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