Textile Artist to Hold Exhibition
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Textile artist Cha Young-soon is holding an exhibition named ``The Code'' featuring ``hanji,'' Korean traditional paper.
Cha has twisted mulberry paper, a type of hanji, like thread and managed to create distinctive patterns. More than 10 works will be displayed at the gallery.
``I invented the hanji twisting method myself. The threads are all handmade and they represent simplicity and also an abstract form of calligraphy,'' she told The Korea Times during a phone interview.
By only using black and white paper, she offers simple yet geometrical proportions and shapes.
``I used different colors in other exhibitions, but this time I only used black and white because I thought the two colors were the best way to express contrast. We have had so much snow this winter and when I looked out at the snow, I saw a bunch of white and the thin black tree branches. There was snow, branches and small cracks of sunlight. My works represent the personal feelings I had then,'' she said.
The hanji threads differ in length and width, and there was a reason for this. Keeping in mind the different types of people and lives, the artist wanted to show her life through the long and short threads.
``Some are long, some are short. Some are thick, while some are very thin. The threads bring texture to the flat canvas, and I wanted to show rhythm. The threads are like the rhythm of life,'' she explained.
``Most importantly, I wanted to share the beauty of hanji, and also portray a sense of power and energy through the somewhat delicate paper,'' said Cha.
Cha, who is a professor at the College of Art & Design, Ewha Womans University, started her career in 1998 with solo exhibitions and worked her way through the art world with distinctive works and ideas. She also joined various group exhibitions, including the World Craft Council in 2008, the Tournai International Textile Triennial in 2008 and the KIAF in 2009.
The exhibition ``The Code'' will start Feb. 19 through 27 at Gallery Mano, Gahoe-dong, downtown Seoul. For more information, visit www.manogallery.com.