Deeply rooted within Korean culture, Hanji is a strong paper made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree. Hanji has a tactile surface and wide fibers that allow for air and light to pass through. Besides ink and water, Kim employs fire and air to mark the material, burning the edges or center with an incense stick or a candle, and then layering the paper using a complex but delicate collage technique. Through the repetitive work of burning and layering mulberry Hanji paper, she conveys the process of emotional healing and meditation. The burnt sections of paper generate an effect of three-dimensionality, provide the viewer with a chronological dimension, and indicate layers of time symbolized by the layers of paper.
The Hill Art Foundation
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