Currently, the Korean Cultural Center in Abu Dhabi is hosting Garden on Paper, a free exhibition that features stunning works expressing nature through hanji (paper). On display are about ten hanji collages by South Korean artist Suh Eun-jin and ten flowers made from hanji (Jihwa) by the Hanjiroum studio. Organised to celebrate the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, the show will be open to the public until the 16th of August, 2024.
Hanji, a traditional Korean paper, is one of the country’s oldest products. It dates back to the Three Kingdoms period around 130 AD and was used to make a full range of items, for example, clothes. Made from dak, the bark of paper mulberry trees, this paper is soft yet incredibly durable and versatile.
About the artists
Suh Eun-jin holds a BFA in Sculpture Major from Ewha Womans University (Seoul, South Korea); she also studied at Central Saint Martins College (London, UK) from 1991 to 1993. In addition, the artist earned a PhD degree from the International American University – IAU (Los Angeles, USA) in 2022.
In her beautiful collages, which she creates using hanji paper and sometimes combining it with wires, Suh reflects the warm and cosy sentiment of Korea. Her art pieces often depict plants, chickens, and other birds; for her, a chicken symbolises life, positivity, and hope. Suh’s practice also involves creating wooden sculptures with a stencil technique applied on hanji.
The artist has showcased her creations in a number of solo and group shows in South Korea, the USA, Croatia, France, and Singapore, to name a few. Her works are part of such collections as SeJong City Hall (South Korea), Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery (London), and E.K. Art Gallery (Los Angeles), among others.
Hanjiroum is a studio founded by two sisters, Kwon Young-eun and Kwon Young-hyun, who focus on Jihwa, hanji flowers which are a traditional Korean craftwork. Young-eun crafts these paper flowers, and Young-hyun colours them later. The sisters recreate endangered wildflowers, highlighting the fragile beauty of plants native to Korea and drawing our attention to the disappearing natural environment.
About the Center
The Korean Cultural Center in the UAE (KCCUAE) was founded in 2016. Run by the Government of the Republic of Korea, its key aim is to introduce Korea to the region. It encourages cultural exchanges between the two countries through a full range of cultural programmes and activities. The Center offers language courses and Taekwondo, cooking, and cultural classes. It also holds film screenings, different exhibitions, workshops, and performances.
To get more information about Garden on Paper, please visit the exhibition’s official web page.
Additionally, if you are looking for another place in Abu Dhabi where you can admire some art, we recommend that you read our article about several great public artworks in the city.
