▲ Im Seo-yeon, Korean paper artist and Director of Daom Hanji Gongbang

Opportunity comes by chance
Im came to know about the beauty of Korean paper when she joined a parent’s club of her daughter’s middle school. “I just started as an activity of one’s school parent but then I found it develop to a level of indulgence in me as time went by. The indulgence grew passion and the passion led to opening a workshop. I named it Daom Hanji Gongbang (Daom Korean paper workshop)” looked back Im.

Characteristics of Korean paper
Korean paper has smooth texture and soft color but is prone to split easily when touching the water. Modern Korean paper, however, enhanced the drawback and is made into various props and ornaments such as plates, tissue boxes, drawers and sawing boxes. What makes Daom Hanji Gongbang outstanding from its peers is that Im also applies black color to give a luxury feel in addition to the commonly used pastel-based colors. Im used her dying talent to harvest this luxury black and created a uniquely beautiful Korean dining table themed on the patterns of hydrangea and additional gold color. It is noteworthy that Im did everything herself from design and dying to processing and finishing. 

Winning an excellent prize at PyeongChang 2018 International Art Exhibition
Im has proved her expertise in Korean paper making by winning a number of prizes at various exhibitions and competitions including the 7th Korea Figuratif (grand prize), the 36th Grand Art Exhibition of Korea (crafts category) and the 21st Unification Cultural Festival (selected). Quite recently, she won an excellent prize at the PyeongChang 2018 International Art Exhibition held in Insa-dong, Seoul. Meanwhile, she has been exerting to foster talented Korea paper artists through her regular classes at schools, community centers and other public organizations. “You can make many things with Korean paper by making the most of your imagination.” So, if you are interested in the art of Korean paper, it might be a good idea to have a lesson or two from Im to start with.