Exhibition: Hanji: Paper Compositions

The Korean Cultural Centre, UK presents Hanji: Paper Compositions, an exhibition that explores the possibilities of traditional Korean paper, or hanji. The exhibition approaches hanji as a versatile material, and features the work of over 20 internationally recognised and emerging artists whose mastering of various hanji techniques allows them to push the boundaries of making processes and practices.

While hanji was originally enjoyed by the royal family and nobility, its uptake became more widespread during the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) when craftspeople, engaged with making goods for everyday use, took to recycling paper from discarded, old books. The paper products they created ranged from shoes, briefcases and ornamental objects, to lamps, basins, and even water buckets. The making techniques devised by artisans using hanji, which include jiho, jiseung and jeonji, have been developed over time ever since.

Through spotlighting methods of making, the Hanji: Paper Compositions exhibition presents audiences with the rare opportunity to encounter art and craft practices, all the while revealing the intricacies of creating paper-based works.

*Hanji: Paper Compositions is a special exhibition that is also touring to the Korean Cultural Centres in Italy.