Seoul’s Namsangol Hanok Village will host the 2024 Namsangol House Museum exhibition, titled "White Night," from November 14 to December 22, showcasing contemporary artworks crafted from hanji, traditional Korean paper. The exhibition, which features artists Kim Sun Hee, Son Sang Woo, and Yang Ji Yoon, is set to explore hanji's versatility and aesthetic potential.
The title "White Night" (백야) symbolizes both the illuminated winter nights at Namsangol Hanok Village and the repetitive process required to produce pure white hanji. The exhibition will be held across the Min’s House in Gwanhun-dong and the Korean Craft Museum, providing an atmospheric setting where visitors can immerse themselves in hanji-based artworks that bridge tradition and modernity.
Kim Sun Hee’s installation, "Light Lights – Memories," captures the interplay of light and hanji. Layers of hanji allow light to penetrate, creating a work that questions the boundaries between perception and reality. Through objects, video, and installations, Kim explores light as a means of expanding sensory experience and understanding.
Son Sang Woo, inspired by the architectural details of hanok, has designed floor tables and traditional trays that seamlessly blend with the exhibition’s surroundings. Using hanji combined with synthetic resin, Son’s works evoke mist, transforming traditional elements into functional, yet artistically refined, furniture pieces.
Yang Ji Yoon brings a playful visual dimension to the exhibition with her hanji mobiles. Drawing inspiration from forms found in nature, such as grass, water, and stones, Yang has crafted mobile structures like "Shape of Water" and "Shape of Light," inviting viewers to experience movement and flow through her works.
At the Korean Craft Museum, visitors will encounter some of each artist’s key pieces in a central display. Kim Sun Hee’s new work, "Inner Space," from her “Light Lights” series, is installed prominently, casting unique light and shadow effects. Son Sang Woo offers insight into his creative process with a demonstration of his traditional tray-making techniques, while Yang Ji Yoon’s smaller sculptures extend the exhibition’s visual continuity.
To engage further with the public, “Conversations with the Artists” will take place on November 16 at 5 p.m. and November 23 at 2 p.m., allowing visitors to gain insight into the creative inspirations behind the works.
The exhibition is open to the public free of charge from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, except Mondays. During Seoul's “Cultural Night” each Friday, visiting hours are extended until 9 p.m., providing ample opportunity for evening visitors.
Kim Geon Tae, director of Seoul’s Cultural Heritage Utilization Division, commented, “This exhibition highlights the innovative artistic possibilities of hanji. We hope it will inspire a new appreciation for cultural heritage, transforming traditional materials into contemporary sources of creative inspiration.”
Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com
