About this Event
Create a Hanjicraft pencil holder or small tray with exhibiting artist Young Kim! All ages are welcome to these free mini-workshops. Open to all ages. Kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Hanjicraft is an art form that was developed during the Joseon (Chosun) Dynasty. Hanji is a traditional paper made from mulberry tree pulp. Natural dyes are used to produce the bright and varied colors of hanji.
Participants will receive a kit (chipboard structure, pre-cut paper, and stencils) and receive instruction on how to assemble the piece. Participants can choose to apply polyurethane at home if desired for added durability.
Participants can take the items home the same day and begin using them immediately.
Artist Young Kim will give instruction every half hour between 10:30am and 1:30pm!
Guest name:
Young Kim
Guest bio:
Young Ok Kim was born in North Korea and emigrated to Busan, South Korea, just before the Korean War broke out. She earned her Ph*rm*cy degree from Duk Sung University and went on to run her own Ph*rm*cy in Seoul before eventually moving to the United States. Arriving in the U.S. in the 1970s, Young faced a strong societal push for assimilation, but she remained deeply proud of her Korean heritage, which she shared with her children, friends, and colleagues.
It was with this same spirit of cultural pride that she discovered and began to teach traditional Korean hanjicraft — a delicate paper craft that uses mulberry bark paper to create everyday items. Young first encountered the art form after retiring, and for nearly two decades, she has taught workshops and classes, passing on her knowledge to others.
For Young, creating hanjicraft involves a process of observation, learning the fundamental techniques, and then adapting them into her own designs. The repetitive motions involved in the craft help to build muscle memory and facilitate a more fluid creative process. The intricate, multi-layered paper cuts are time-consuming, but for Young, cutting the patterns is a meditative experience. Her color choices and patterns blend traditional Korean motifs with her personal interpretations, often inspired by photographs and found images.
Hanjicraft, a tradition that dates back to the Joseon Dynasty, is being reintroduced to global audiences through the resurgence of Korean historical dramas, such as Under the Queen’s Umbrella, which feature intricate furniture and accessories from daily palace life. Inspired by this growing appreciation of Korean culture, Young Ok hopes to share her love for creating functional art that honors the rich history of her homeland.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Classroom | Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, 550 Winslow Way East, Bainbridge Island, United States
USD 0.00
