Tools & Techniques

An intangible heritage holder, Yoo Bae Geun is a hanji screen maker and experienced papermaker residing in Jeonju, a leading city in hanji production and history. He is one of two remaining screen makers in Korea today. March 2009.

For a stretch of six summer weeks, I was the artist-in-residence at the Morgan Conservatory, a papermaking and book arts facility in Cleveland that has a paper mill, gallery, letterpress and print studio, garden to grow papermaking and dyeing plants, bindery, and so much more. My task: building a Korean papermaking studio for the site and teaching a hanji class in August 2010.

After meeting Lee Myung Sun in Seoul, I studied natural dyeing from him and his wife, who run a dyeing and clothing shop. He had learned traditional dyeing techniques from women living in villages in the Korean mountains. Lessons were loosely scheduled, and I could come and go as I pleased, and they always insisted on feeding all of their students and guests who happened to be around during lunchtime huge homemade feasts. They also always welcomed friends and visits from foreign guests. I mostly dyed silk scarves, but also did my own experimentation with hanji (Korean handmade paper). Feb – June, 2009.

An array of different plants used for papermaking in the Cleveland area, ranging as far west as Oberlin and as far east as the Holden Arboretum. All harvests processed at the Morgan Conservatory. Autumn 2013 and 2015

Visits to two different pyogu (mounting) shops in Seoul. Mr. Doh worked under Mr. Lee for 18 years before opening his own business. December 2014.

A visit to the lacquer studios, classroom, and gallery of Mr. Choi Jong-kwan. His wife, son, daughter, and disciple all practice here in a building in Hongdae, keeping alive traditional lacquer work by making contemporary work. Dec 2014.

chilgi.theione.kr/

A visit to see three women who make beautiful jiseung objects, located full- and part-time in Eumseong (Chungcheong-do). The Korean countryside in Nov (2014).

Three+ weeks of daily study in the mountains of Gangwon-do, making woven hanji objects using the jiseung technique. Oct/Nov 2014.

The annual kozo harvest at Cleveland’s Morgan Conservatory in Ohio. Staff, volunteers, friends, interns, and students come by to help prepare the year’s paper mulberry batch for papermaking. Nov 2013.

morganconservatory.org/

A visit to the hanji studio at the Morgan Conservatory to make hanji and do demos for their annual Open House in early October.

Step by step instructions for how to cut down a long sheet of jiseung-ji to make paired strips of hanji in preparation for cording (for jiseung, formally known as noyeokgae).

Using hanji (Korean handmade paper), a mind-boggling array of objects can be woven from hand-corded strips of paper. This craft from of weaving paper in Korea is called jiseung (formally known as noyeokgae), and my teacher, Na Seo Hwan, is a 3rd-generation master based in Seoul. For five months, I visited his home weekly, sometimes more, for lessons that were six to eight hours long. His wife would prepare delicious meals and snacks to sustain us as we sat on the floor, spinning, weaving, and sharing histories.

This was one of the most rich and unexpected aspects of my Fulbright research. Images include objects by my teacher, and the process of making a chamber pot, lantern, teacups, etc. Feb – June 2009.

A 2nd-generation papermill in Jeonju operated by Choi Sung-Il and his family. Three employees pull paper and two dry the paper. March 2009.

Two different day trips to Jang Ji Bang, a Korean papermill not far from Seoul. March and April 2009.

This mill is run by Yoon Soon Hil, the widow of Kim Yeong Yon, who was a scholar turned papermaker who was committed to the ongoing preservation of hanji. His book was released posthumously, covering his years of hanji research, and includes two articles by Dorothy Field, an artist from Canada who studied with him immediately before his untimely death. November 2008.

A papermill run by Jang Eung Yeall, a 3rd generation papermaker, and his wife. His father originally made paper in North Korea, and they now run the mill in Wonju because of the water quality. Wonju Hanji has been operating for about 20 years (as of 2008) and uses only Korean mulberry bark rather than importing from overseas. November 2008.

A visit to the largest handmade paper factory in Korea: Andong Hanji. They have about 20 employees, ranging from paper technicians to artisans who create a wide array of hanji objects that are for sale on site. There is also a large museum space and areas for children to learn how to pull paper. November 2008.

A papermill in the heart of Jeonju’s Hanok Maeul. December 2008.