PHILADELPHIA — Striking in scale and subject, Asian Arts Initiative’s July exhibition Paper Play: New Works by Jeonghan Yun and Choonhyang Yun showcases two- and three-dimensional paper works that visually express a fusion of cultures and creative techniques. On view July 6-August 17 in the Initiative’s main gallery (1219 Vine St.), Paper Play is a tribute to the artists’ rich cultural identities, traversing the border between Korean and American cultures by blending diverse papermaking traditions.
“Through numerous experiments and trials, we have fused Asian and Western papermaking techniques and refined them to create delicate and sophisticated images,” says Jeonghan Yun. “These works call the viewer in to an intimate connection with the timeless essence of the natural world. That is to say, my wife and I cross the border between Asia and America through our abstract handmade paper works. It is an expression of who we are.”
To make the paper used in this exhibition, the artists began by utilizing a traditional Asian papermaking technique that involves peeling off the inner bark of a paper mulberry (or “dak” in Korean), then steaming, grinding and dyeing it. The result is a tough, texturized, nontoxic canvas (“hanji”) that can be molded and shaped into sculptural works of art, or augmented by adding vibrant oil paint to create exuberant contemporary abstractions.
”We are excited to highlight the Yuns in our gallery again, after their work in the Asian : American : Homogenous group exhibition stood out last summer as audience favorites,” says Gayle Isa, Executive Director at Asian Arts Initiative. “I admire how they describe fusing their own selves within the paper they create, as well as the fusion of techniques that their artwork represents.”
Schedule of Events
Paper Play: New Works by Jeonghan Yun and Choonhyang Yu
On view July 6-August 17
Opening Reception: Friday, July 6, 6 p.m.
First Friday Open House:Friday, August 3, 6 p.m.
Asian Arts Initiative
1219 Vine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-557-4055
www.asianartsinitiative.org
Gallery hours: Tuesday-Friday, noon-6 p.m.
