Bojagi - Korean textiles

A little about me

I am an artist who works with translucent textiles influenced by the ancient tradition of bojagi, Korean wrapping cloths, and my practice is inspired by the changing light in the landscape. I lecture on the history of bojagi and teach workshops in both traditional and contemporary interpretations of Bojagi.

Working in translucent fabrics, ramie and silk organza combined with the narrow seaming and pinching techniques allows me to explore light passing through the overlapping layers of colour. The structure of seams creates a further linear dimension often revealed in the shadows that they cast.

While I may have an overall plan for a new piece of work, the method of construction is organic in nature. Constructed by hand or machine, traditional Korean seaming techniques anchor the work within the boundaries of my practice.  Using hand dyed fabrics allows me to control the palette for each project.

Walking in the countryside can often be a starting point for a new piece of work. Evening walks on the Sussex Downs in mid-summer allow me to observe the effect of the fading light on the colours of the landscape.

Walking in moonlight is the inspiration behind my latest collection of work. In the night space, light and sound are experienced in a different way. To walk in moonlight and to hear nightingales singing is spine tinglingly exciting.

The translucent qualities of bojagi seem to me a perfect medium to express these fleeting moments. The Korean word bo means “wrapping happiness or fortune” and is expressed using colour and symbolism. In my works I try to achieve Cheon-ji-in which translates into “sky, earth and the harmony of human coexistence”. A traditional Korean value that chimes with the current concerns about the need to live and create work sustainably.

Exhibitions

2024 Quilt Festival in Korea, Seoul, South Korea

2024 OPEN23, Worthing Museum and Art Gallery, Colonnade House Gallery, Worthing, UK.

2024 Work In progress exhibition, Colonnade House Gallery, Worthing, UK.

2024 Colour: Natures Way, Colonnade House Gallery, Worthing, UK.

2024 Moon Rising, Australasian Quilt Convention, Melbourne, Australia.

2023 Colours from Nature, Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft, Ditchling, UK.

2023 Bojagi Jouney, Pacific North West Fibre Arts and Quilt Museum, La Conner, Washington, US.

2023 Light in the Landscape, Colonnade House Gallery, Worthing, UK

2023 The Grey line, Australasian Quilt Convention, Melbourne, Australia.

2021 oQamoQa, Double Happiness Collaborative exhibition, Bukchon, Seoul, South Korea.

2019 Curated gallery: Transparency and transition at Festival of Quilts, Birmingham, UK.

2018 The Grey Line, Invited exhibitor and UK representative at the Korean Bojagi Forum, Seoul, South Korea.

2017 Bojagi-UK, Knitting and Stitching Show, Textile Gallery.

2017 The Grey Line, Festival of Quilts, Birmingham, UK.

Books

Author of Bojagi; Design and techniques in Korean Textile Art

Contibutor to WOWBook Six Published by d4daisy Books Ltd

Contributor to Bojagi Walks by Chunghie Lee.

Quilt Essential by Erin Burke Harris. Published by Stash Books an imprint of C&T Publishing 2013, Technical adviser. Front cover image and six pieces of my work

Technical editor A Block a Day by Lucinda Ganderton. Published by Ivy Press 2015

Published Articles

British Patchwork and Quilting 2019 First and last

The Quilter No 159 summer 2019 Researching Korean wrapping cloths

Today’s Quilter Issue 51, 2019 Old traditions new twists

Popular Patchwork December 2017 Patchwork of my life

Popular Patchwork January 2017 Korean Bojagi Forum

The Quilter No 149 winter 2016 A Celebration of Korean Wrapping Cloths

Popular Patchwork December 2016 My sewing love affair

Popular Patchwork May 2016 Meet the Artist: Alice Fox

Popular Patchwork Bag Issue 2016 Table top basket