Youngmin's March Newsletter

Bojagi work is both a connection and comfort for me, between my native culture and my adopted culture. Traditional Korean luminous mother of pearl lacquerware inspired me to create this bojagi using a technique such as Yeouijumun (jewel pattern)/Gojunmun and Ssamsol. The iridescent colors reflect hidden efforts and time, and this bojagi is my interpretation of my old culture and tradition.

I was so honored when two of my bojagi became exhibits at the Asian Art Museum's collection back in 2016. Luminous I and III were created after I saw the museum's exhibit, Mother-of-pearl Lacquerware from Korea. After my work was shown in the Korean gallery for 6 months, two bojagi were stored in the storage until last month. In 2020, I got another opportunity to work with the Asian Art Museum to create contemporary bojagi, Catalyze (풀어서 잇다). Instead of using a certain technique, I tried to put as many bojagi making techniques as I could into one bojagi. The idea of showing various stitch techniques inspired me to create the stitch sampler book, and the first book sets I made are in the museum also.

Recently I finished my first session of teaching this Stitch Sampler Book class and I am grateful to teach and share my tradition, culture, and creative journey with you. If you missed this class, check out Tatter's workshop page. I will be teaching this again in April. In Part I of the class you will learn various stitch techniques, and in Part II of the class you will make a book using fabric.

Part I, Pages (chaekjang 책장)– Saturday, April 9th and 16th, 2022
Part II, Book (chaek 책) – Friday, April 22nd and Saturday, April 23rd, 2022

If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area, please visit the Asian Art Museum and say hi to my bojagi. Try and see how many stitch techniques you can point out in my Catalyze bojagi! Happy March everybody!