Ham Sup: Paper Dreams

February 1 - April 28, 2018

Ham Sup (b. 1942) has worked with hanji, traditional Korean paper made from the bark of mulberry trees, as his primary medium for over 30 years. Hanji is well known in Korea as a prized material for cultural and religious purposes, and has been an integral part of Korean daily life for centuries. While the traces of Korean history are immediately apparent in the medium and colors of his work, Ham’s unique artistic process reflects the visions of a true modern artist who effectively combines tradition and modern abstraction, celebrating dreams of Korea in both its past and future.

Born and raised in the Gangwon provincial capital, Chunchon, a rural area known for its natural beauty, Sup Ham has participated in numerous exhibitions at internationally renowned venues, including the National Museum of Contemporary Art (Seoul), Hyundai Art Gallery (Seoul), and the Museum for Asiatische Kunst (Berlin), and collections including the Rockefeller Foundation (USA), Boeringer Collection (Germany), and Foundation Juan Marche (Spain).  

Professor Kyunghee Pyun discusses the process of Hanji making with regards to sustainability and ecosystem of a Korean artisanal tradition. She also presents Ham Sup’s unique art making with Hanji to emphasize his innovative process that touched upon the cultural heritage of Korea. 

This exhibition participated in “Asia Week 2018” and it will run until April 12, 2018.

This exhibition is presented in collaboration with the Dongwha Cultural Foundation.