Living Arts

Get wrapped up in the Korean art of `bojagi`



Bojagi, a square hemmed cloth used by Koreans to wrap, store or carry items, is making a comeback as an art form.
Just a few decades ago, bojagi was pretty much relegated to the back closet. Recently, however, more and more people want to learn how to make these delightful little pieces.
But for those who would rather look at the finished product than spend hours on end embroidering and quilting their own, the Posco Art Museum and the Museum of Korean Embroidery are currently displaying a wonderful collection of bojagi.
Skilled artist Kim Hyun-hee has been making bojagi for 40 years and will be showcasing a retrospective exhibition of her works at the Posco Art Museum until Feb. 28.
From her early traditional pieces to her recent modern works, Kim proves that bojagi will never go out of style.
Appointed a master of art crafts by the Korean National Government in 1997, Kim creates thoughtful and delicate bojagi that at once echo and transcend the works of her ancestors.
Her early pieces combine muted neutral colors to create summery, sheer patchworks. One bojagi uses swatches of rose-mauve, butterscotch and banana to evoke a sense of light warmth. And yet another work uses cloth that resembles the grain of wood, transporting viewers into a veritable forest of fabric.
Kim`s later works, however, take on a more modern approach. She connects strong blocks of color together to form geometrical and angular bojagi, bringing to mind the great Mondrian`s Neo-Plasticist paintings.
All her works, however, have two things in common: They use natural dye and seasonal fabrics.
"I used natural dyes," said Kim, 61. "And because I used natural dyes, the colors don`t pop."
Indeed, while her later works are darker, the color palette -- a series of navies, slate blues and rich plums -- are still far from vibrant. And her selection of seasonal fabrics -- silks for winter, and hemp and ramie cloth for summer -- lean more towards the modest.
But Kim doesn`t skimp when it comes to quality. She uses hemp from Andong County in North Gyeongsang Province. The hemp from this region is famed for its delicate texture.
The difference in quality is noticeable. The grain of her hemp cloth is clean and distinct, adding a pattern of its own to her works. Also, the fabric itself gives off a wonderful sheen, reminiscent of silk cashmere.
After taking in Kim`s contemporary bojagi, art lovers can stop by the Museum of Korean Embroidery to see pieces that were created during the Joseon Dynasty and before.
The museum is currently displaying 225 works from its extensive permanent collection of embroidered art. Visitors are invited to take in bojagi from the 18th and 19th centuries, including a lovely embroidered cotton piece with deer, cranes and turtles symbolizing longevity and good fortune.
Here, one can ponder the beauty of this art form, which dates back past the Joseon Dynasty. This tradition emerged from the folk religions of ancient times, when people believed that keeping items carefully wrapped helped them hold onto good fortune.
This belief led to the sewing of certain motifs onto bojagi. Flowers, fruits and mandarin ducks served as symbols of goodness, while the pomegranate symbolized the birth of many sons.
The colors blue, red, yellow, white and black represented the five natural elements: metal, wood, water, fire and earth.
Bojagi, therefore, were more than just a primitive form of the modern-day suitcase, they promised good fortune and safe passage.
Also, as an art performed only by women, bojagi resonate with the good intentions of their female makers.
From the dozens of bojagi made for her daughter`s wedding, to the bojagi she created for her family`s blankets, the Joseon Dynasty woman put her love and care into this practical yet beautiful piece of cloth. And it shows.
The Museum of Korean Embroidery opens from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Admission is free. To get there, go to Hakdong Subway Station Line 7, Exit 10. Turn left and then make a right at the Paris Baguette Cafe. The museum is located on the fourth floor of the second building on the right. For more information, call (02) 515-5114 or visit www.bojagi.com
Kim Hyun-hee`s solo exhibition, titled "Pieces of Memory and Time: Kim Hyun-hee Bojagi Exhibition," runs through Feb. 28. To get there, go to Samsung Subway Station Line 2, Exit 4. The exhibit is located on the second floor of the Posco Building in the Posco Art Museum. Opening hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The museum is closed on Sundays. Admission is free. For more information, call (02) 3457-1665.
By Jean Oh
(oh_jean@heraldm.com)