Between Ink and Image: Minhwa Reimagined

What began as an exploration of Minhwa and its painting techniques has opened up a new direction for my work. I use the Japanese Suminagashi technique to marble mulberry paper with ink. I then respond to the unexpected patterns by painting motifs from Minhwa, the Korean folk painting tradition. Common Minhwa motifs—including dragons, lotus leaves, carp, peonies, turtles, and mountains—emerge from and intertwine with the ink’s flowing forms. Each piece explores color, form, and composition, moving between abstract patterns and recognizable imagery.