2021 Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale
2021 Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale (JISB)
at Sunset Art Museum,
ChoHeeryong Art Museum,
Sinan, South Korea
Dates. 1 Sept - 31 Oct 2021
The Artwork
Ink paintings for the 2021 Jeonnam International SUMUK Biennale, South Korea. Unfortunately, international artists won't be there in person as the original plan in 2019.
Ink on Hanji paper - 'Han' meaning Korean, and 'Ji' meaning paper. Handmade traditional Korean paper came to be known as the highest quality paper available in East Asia; rumour can last 1,000 years. Hanji paper uses the bark of the mulberry tree as its base ingredient, as strong and durable fibres are also very soft to the touch. I got introduced to this paper in 2019 when I met Korean artists at an International workshop in Thailand. Since then, I love working on Hanji paper because strikingly strong and won't rip when I stitch the paper. I had such an amazing art time during my first International residency in South Korea (Aug 2018). I got the second invitation in 2019 until the pandemic happens and they postponed the event from 2020 to 2021. Thank you for the invitation Curator Seung Mi, hope to see everyone soon for the next visit :)
Artworks: YEOJA II & YEOJA III
Sepia ink on Hanji Paper, 85cm x 140cm/piece (2021)
The paintings were born from a collection of vintage images/photographs of Korean women engages in artistic activities in the past, found on the internet. These images gain power more than just photos and tell stories about Women's roles in Korean art and cultural history. As a foreigner, I gain more knowledge about Korean culture during this research.
Artworks: PLAYTIME I & PLAYTIME II
Sepia ink on Hanji Paper, 76cm x 144cm/piece (2021)
Tigers in Korea symbolise strength and power, also the guardian spirit and protector of the Korean people. Tigers (Horangi) are often featured in many Korean folk paintings Minhwa. This artwork connects with my relationship as a person born in Tiger year and how Tiger portraited in Korean art history. As an artist and foreigner, I created a whimsical world, being a friend of Horangi to find my curiosity about Korean culture.