Hanji Art

“[Hanji] is traditionally made from one-year-old paper mulberry stems; the trees are not felled, but rather coppiced each year, a sustainable process which prolongs the life of the tree. Owing to its strength, hanji can be corded and woven into a variety of household objects, a process known as jiseung; when lacquered, these pieces are waterproof. Aimee Lee’s remarkable Jiseung work shows the beauty and versatility of this ancient craft; from shoes and basketry, to books and bowls.”   –Katie Ott, “The Art of Craft,” MIX Magazine 79

Especially with jiseung techniques, anything is possible with paper. Learn more about jiseung and other hanji art techniques here.

Double sided (2024). Indigo and onion skin dye on corded and twined hanji. 8 x 8 x 1.6”.
Double sided
Double sided (2024). Indigo and onion skin dye on corded and twined hanji. 8 x 8 x 1.6”.
Double sided (front)
Double sided (2024). Indigo and onion skin dye on corded and twined hanji. 8 x 8 x 1.6”.
Double Sided (back)
Fruit and flower (2023). Persimmon juice and coreopsis dye on corded and twined hanji. 1.5 x 3 x 3”.
Fruit and flower
Prize pot (2022). Natural dyes on corded and twined hanji. 5.5 x 7 x 4.5”.
Prize pot
Prize pot (2022). Natural dyes on corded and twined hanji. 5.5 x 7 x 4.5”.
Prize pot
Green and gold miniature (2022). Corded and twined hanji covers, thread, cotton and abaca paper pages. 1.5 x 1.6 x 1.25 closed, 3.6” wide open.
Woven Book: Green and gold miniature
Triple mushrooms (2019). Otchil on corded and twined hanji. 3 x 4.5 x 2.2”.
Triple mushrooms
Otchil mushroom (2019). Otchil on corded and twined hanji. 4 x 2.6 x 2.6”.
Otchil mushroom
Stretch pot (2021). Corded and twined hanji. 5.5 x 7.25 x 6.5”.
Stretch pot
A basket case (2020). Natural dyes on corded and twined hanji. Dims from 4.25 x 4.25 x 5” to 3.25 x 3.25 x 3”.
A basket case
Library shoe (2020). Natural dyes on corded and twined hanji. 2.75 x 8.5 x 4”. Private collection.
Hanji Art: Library shoe
Stripe and wax (2020). Natural dyes and beeswax on corded and twined hanji. 2.5 x 2.75 x 2.75”. Private collection.
Stripe and wax
High spout teapot (2020). Corded and twined hanji. 3.75 x 8.25 x 6.25”. Private collection.
High spout teapot
Stopped (2020). Onion skin dye on corded and twined hanji. 5.75 x 3.75 x 3.4”.
Stopped
Over there (2018). Brazilwood dye on corded and twined hanji. 7.5 x 3.5" diameter.
Over there
The blues (2018). Indigo powder on corded and twined hanji. L: 3.5 x 4" diameter; R: 3 x 4" diameter.
The blues
Footed teapot (2016). Corded and twined hanji, persimmon juice. 6.75 x 8.25 x 5".
Footed teapot
Bone dress (2017). Corded and twined hanji. 4.5 x 4 x 2.5". Private collection.
Bone dress
Hanji sample book (2009). Hanji, dyes, thread. 5 x 4 x 1.25".
Hanji sample book 2
Hanji sample book (2009). Hanji, dyes, lacquer. 8.5 x 8.25 x 0.8".
Hanji sample book
Hanji sample book (2009). Hanji, dyes, lacquer. 8.5 x 8.25 x 0.8".
Hanji sample book
100% hanji book (2009). Hanji, bark thread. 9.5 x 9.5 x 2.75". Covers by Jang Ji Bang.
100% hanji book
Do-si-do-si-do (2010). Hanji, dye, thread. 2.5 x 2.5 x 1.5”.
Do-si-do-si-do
Woven Books (2010). Hanji, dye, thread. 2.75 x 2.5 x 0.5” and 3.5 x 3.5 x 1.25”.
Woven Books
Jewelry (2009). Hanji, persimmon, indigo, and clove dyes; 13" bracelet, 19" necklaces.
Jewelry
Tri-color bead necklace (2013). Hanji, washi (35 beads). 0.8" diameter each.
Tri-color bead necklace
Grey bead necklace (2012). Hanji, calligraphy ink (9 beads). 1.2" diameter each. Private collection.
Grey bead necklace
Bark basket (2010). Persimmon juice on mulberry bark. 3” dia, 2” high. Private collection.
Bark basket
White colony (2013). Handmade cotton/abaca paper. 1.25" high, 3" rim dia, 2" base dia. Private collection.
White colony
Two cups (2012). Ink, hanji. 1.5 and 2" high. Private collections.
Two cups
Orange and forest fiesta bowls (2013). Washi. 1.5" h, 3.5" rim dia. Private collections.
Fiesta bowls
Miniature family (2012). Hanji, bark. 0.75—1.75" high. Private collection.
Miniature family
Basket candy (2011). Dye on hanji. 1.5 x 1.5 x 2”. Private collections.
Basket candy
Rectangular case (2009). Hanji, indigo. 2 x 4.75 x 2". Private collection.
Rectangular case
Lamp (2009). Hanji, persimmon dye. 14.5" high, 12" diameter
Lamp
Small dustpan (2014). Persimmon dye on hanji, wood. 5 x 8 x 10.2".
Small dustpan
Large dustpan (2014). Persimmon dye on hanji, wood. 5.25 x 12 x 12".
Large dustpan
Baby loafer (2016). Hanji, indigo and persimmon dye. 2.9 x 1.25 x 1".
Blue loafer
Loafer (2016). Hanji. 9.5 x 3.75 x 3".
Loafer
Paper shoe (2013). Hanji. 9 x 3.5 x 2.75".
Paper shoe
Midnight gourd (2015). Hanji, indigo, persimmon, and walnut dyes. 10.25" high, 4" base diameter.
Midnight gourd
Marbled gourd (2015). Hanji, acrylic paint. 8" high, 3.5" base diameter. Private collection.
Marbled gourd
Paired gourds (2014). Persimmon dye on hanji. 7" high, 6" wide; 6.5" high, 3.5" base diameter. Private collection.
Paired gourds
Miniature gourds (2014). Lacquer on hanji. 1.75", 2.5", and 2" tall.
3 gourds
Eight gourds (2009). Dye on hanji. Each gourd up to 2" high.
8 gourds
Teapot (2014). Lacquer on hanji. 7.25" tall, 7" across spout, 3" base diameter.
Teapot
Chamber pot 2 (2012). Hanji. 6.25" diameter, 4.25" high.
Chamber pot 2
Chamber pot (2009). Hanji, lacquer; 6.25" high.
Chamber pot

A 14-second time lapse of the 7-hour installation of Boundless (2019). Corded and dyed paper, each process (papermaking, two-ply cording, natural dyeing) by hand.

Contact

Artists’ books: Vamp & Tramp
Inquiries & sales: contact@aimeelee.net

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