January 2015,New Delhi. ‘Hanji Impression’ – an exhibition introducing Korea’s traditional Hanji paper to India by Korean & Indian Artists Park Yeo-Sang and Sharmi Chowdhury is being organized by Korean Cultural Centre at their premises at Lajpat Nagar IV, New Delhi. The opening ceremony of the exhibition took place recently, where H.E. Lee Joon-Gyu (Ambassador, the Republic of Korea)inaugurated the exhibition that will be on display till 10th February 2015
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The inauguration ceremony had a beautiful presentation of Violin-Piano duet by Kim-Ye Eun & Hwang Sera. On this occasion Mr. Kim Kum-pyoung (Director, Korean Cultural Centre), artists Park Yeo-Sang & Sharmi Chowdhury, Madam Poornima & Students of Apeejay Svran Global School were also present there.
Addressing the gathering, H.E. Lee Joon Gyu said, I am happy to announce the exhibition celebrating the “Hanji Impression” that brings together the artworks of 2 artists on one platform. He said we have organized various events including Hanji Festival last November and it was accepted very well by the Indian audience and art lovers. This year we want to organize more and more such activities, which not only promote art & culture of both the countries but will help in making Indo-Korean relationship better. The Hanji paper is best to showcase beauty of human emotions, love and pain. It presents the genius of an artist. To make a strong cultural bonding cultural ambassador does play an important role; therefore, we endeavour to organize more and more activities to grow friendship & strategic partnership further.
He further added, I want to thank the artists who have contributed in making this project a success. I also want to thank everybody involved in organizing and making this project come true with their dedication and participation. These works of art will serve as an exceptionally valuable contribution and opportunity to experience the culture and strengthened friendship.
This exhibit introduces hanji to India by presenting renowned Indian and Korean artists namely Park Yeo-Sang and Sharmi Chowdhury who uses Hanji as the base for their artistic interpretations. Even with changing times and the dominance of smartphones and digital culture, nothing can completely replace paper. As a medium of expressing emotions, we hope that hanji undergoes a transformation at the hands of the artists to become a valuable piece of art, says Kim Kum-pyoung.
Talking about her works in the exhibition, Indian artist Sharmi Chowdhury said, I have 1 installation and 25 portraits on display here with ‘Ferminity’ as the theme. With interest in the issue of Korean and Indian single mothers, I try to express the pains of their internal wounds.
I’m confined to this issue as I was also brought up in a similar situation. In this exhibition the installation depicts an expressive mood of an unidentified single mother who carrying a dual personality as both mother and child is struggling to provide love to her loved ones.
Yeo Song Park a Korean artist, who also runs an Indian Art Museum in Korea displaying Indian Art and Crafts for Korean People, said this is my fifth exhibition in India, which is composed of paper works made by Korean Traditional Dak pulp and Dak paper in relief and other various techniques. The Theme of my work is extremely simplified expression of people. Since in these works emotion of both Korean and Indian people are mixed, this exhibition is more meaningful to be held in India. I hope this exhibition will have a small contribution to cultural exchange between Korea and India.
About Hanji
- Korea’s traditional hanji boasts a history of over a thousand years. The world’s oldest book printed with a metallic printing type was printed on hanji. This book was published in the 14th century and has been preserved for over 600 years in its paper form to exhibit the high preservation quality of hanji. The hanji that is produced traditionally and the type that is machine-produced both have a soft and warm quality. Hanji has the unique feature of being able to transmit the emotive qualities and thus provides attraction to today’s artists.
- Taking a look back at the history of mankind, one can say that the invention of paper marked the beginning of civilization. It is on paper that letters and characters were carved and books written and this material has been a source of progress for man. Through the invention of paper, man was able to leave behind wonderful works of art instead of leaving artistic imprints only in caves.
for more information, please contact – Kumkum – 9899917585, Shailesh K. Nevatia – 9716549754
