The Korean art of Hanji is a centuries old tradition of making paper with the bark of the mulberry tree. Korean artisans have moved this tradition beyond its original borders, making not only beautiful papers, but also paper yarns, and fabrics using silk, cotton, or linen warp and paper weft.
The VGFA, and the GVWSG, are partnering with a group of Hanji artists from Jeonju, Korea for an exhibition of work to be held August 11 through 16 at the Concourse Gallery, Emily Carr University, Granville Island. The exhibit will also be shown at the Visual Arts Centre in Port Coquitlam and at FibreWorks on the Sunshine Coast for a 3 week period after the initial exhibit.
The artists from Jeonju use the Hanji product to make weavings, garments, and traditional and non-traditional items, both 2D and 3D.
Working with at least 50% paper of any type, B.C. artists from the VGFA and the GVWSG, as well as fibreEssence, are being invited to submit works for this show. The submission deadline is June 1, and the jury fee is $10 for up to 2 pieces. We are looking for a variety of quality art pieces and garments to exhibit alongside the Korean works.
This promises to be a very prestigious show as the CABC is holding their Gala fundraiser on site during the exhibit; the Canadian Society for Asian Arts is sponsoring a lecture on site, and there will be a choreographed fashion show of stunning paper or paper/fabric garments on the Thursday evening. This is in addition to the many demonstrations of paper techniques by Korean artists, and the Fibre Institute courses being offered by Emily Carr University.
The Koreans are sending 40 paper garments which will be featured in our extraordinary fashion show. With this in mind we are hoping that members of both Guilds will be inspired to create garments using paper and/or tyvek, or other approved papers, for at least 50% of the garment. We have been asked if the lining may be fabric, or if it counts as part of the 50% rule. The committee has decided that if the lining is unseen when the garment is worn, it will not be counted against the paper content of the item.
Similarly, if a hanging or other piece requires backing that is not seen when the piece is displayed, that material will also not be weighed against the paper content.
The submission information and entry forms can be found on the guild web sites, and we are encouraging everyone to enter, as your committee is putting a lot of work into ensuring that this will be a first class opportunity to show the work of the many talented Guild members, alongside the beautiful work from Korea, and in the prime locations represented by the 3 participating galleries. All accepted work will be shown on Granville Island, before the show is split into 2, for the exhibits in Port Coquitlam and on the Sunshine Coast.
For immediate release
