The artworks in “Hanji meeting Vietnam Exhibition” which are made from 100 smaller works are typical of the Korean traditional joomchi techniques.

Hanji is strong and long-lasting traditional Korean paper, made from the inner bark of the dak (mulberry) tree, famous for its ability to resist fading, even after some 1,000 years.

The traditional paper is also used in handicrafts, such as hanji dresses or paper dolls. In the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), ordinary people used scraps of paper to make folk art.

Hanji paper, through the joomchi techniques, will be pressed together to make them stronger and rough.

According to artist Yang Sang Hoon, also the President of the Korean Hanji Art Association, Hanji is a precious traditional art of Korea. Hanji has been used for various purposes, both in traditional art, fashion and even industrial work.

In his works, Hoon manipulates the paper in unexpected ways to reflect the timelessness and power of this bark-made material. Using joomchi techniques, Yang Sang Hoon has been able to create a fine mixture between tradition and modernity, to deliver the message about love, and emotional exchanges between man and nature.

Under the theme “Love Song”, the paper is reborn as flowers or birds by folding repeatedly. He also twists and weaves long, narrow sheets of paper to create intricate geometric patterns.

The art works bring both the sense of art and friendship of hanji, and reflect the flexibility and new inspirations.

Yang Sang Hoon is a freelance artist and President of the Korean Hanji Art Association. He has more than 20 individual exhibitions in Korea, Japan, Finland, and more than 150 group exhibitions.

During the exhibition, there will be talks with the artist, sideline exhibition, interactive discussions, etc., to share joomchi techniques with fine art students and people with interest, as well as to support the Vietnamese artist under Zo Project.

The exhibition runs until April 30, 2015.

A number of artworks on display at the exhibition: