Paper On Edge - Insadong Seoul

I went and saw my co-worker's art show in Central Seoul just the other day. I rode my bike up from Gangnam... a good effort, barely thought I was going to make it on time!

- Jay Gallery -

Really the only requirement for the show was that the artwork needed to be on paper or about paper in someway. With the very limited space of the galley all artists did exceptionally well with representing themselves in their many avenues. A few are worth mentioning.

Liz Groeschen, interested in yoga and travel, delved into personal application of the zen like poses people try and twist themselves and the idea of mapping. The application of the maps turn the lines of roads into vein-like structures or quite possibly even the chi of someone twisting into some unbelievable form. While the idea could have been ascetically pushed through more abstraction or more personal design, it is a concept we can all "align" to and feel similarly about.

This image (above), taken with an iPod, is from Seo Jeong-hak. An artist who compresses pieces of "hanji," traditional Korean paper, into tight rolls that he then cuts into sections and arranges on a wood support in a hybrid of painting and sculpture. Using this combination he was able to create an abstract analysis of flowing color and form with the application of making traditional Korean paper. With a lovely undulating surface the very stiff and ridged paper of traditional processes seems to flow between itself and create a surface of rapidly changing colors in the lighting and shadow.

Lastly, Loren Rudisuela whose work looks both at historical representations of Asian art and it's new modern and post-modern counter part. Using several styles of art including digital design and painting Loren creates landscapes and still life pieces that reminiscent of old style Asian paintings, comic books, and modern Asian advertising.