Issue date: 1/28/08 Section: Arts & Culture

Media Credit: brown.edu The work of artist Jae Ko, on display at the David Winton Bell gallery until March 5th, is made out of paper.

The works of artists Imi Hwangbo and Jae Ko are currently on display at the David Winton Bell Gallery in the show "Cut, Folded, Dyed & Glued," which opened Friday. The two artists layer simple two-dimensional materials to create abstract three-dimensional sculptures that ignite the viewer's curiosity.

Both artists draw upon their Korean heritage in their works. Hwangbo looks to the decorative arts of Korea, making reference to designs of "pojagi" - the cloths used for wrapping, covering, carrying and storing sacred and secular objects - and the vivid colors of "hanbok" - traditional Korean clothing.

Pojagi were the sole creative outlet of Korean women during the rigidly Confucian era of the Choson Dynasty (1392-1910). These small rectangular textiles are decorated with patchwork of geometric shapes or embroidered with bird and flower motifs, which carried symbolic meanings such as wealth, prosperity and abundance of material objects and male offspring.

Hwangbo's adaptation of pojagi honors the skill and craft of her female ancestors while also drawing attention to their traditionally subordinate role in Korean society.

Hwangbo creates decorative motifs such as petaled flowers, simple and complex diamond patterns and elaborate filigree designs. These patterns are repeated, often over an entire surface, which ranges from six by eight inches to 11 feet long. Her entire design process involves several forms of media, combining drawing, printmaking and sculpture to create objects that appear as three-dimensional drawings.

The artist begins with a drawing she does by hand that is later translated into a computer drawing and printed in archival ink on sheets of translucent Mylar. During the installation process, the pieces, which are composed of up to 30 layers, are aligned to create form, shape and depth. She hand cuts the individual layers, removing rather than adding material to create her elaborate patterns. "The process of constructing volume through multiple layering creates a dialogue between positive and negative, interior and exterior, and visible and invisible form," she said in her artist's statement.

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