Jimin Lee

HWADO

08.11 - 28.11.2024

Hwado is a Korean term that combines “hwa” (painting) and “do” (path or way), symbolising the journey of artistic creation— a voyage through the landscapes of the mind and the material world. 

The Hwado series reimagines traditional landscape painting by exploring the interplay of materiality, space, and time. Born from Lee’s deep curiosity about the concept of “landscape”, this series reflects a personal journey to capture the essence of the intangible. A key aspect of the project involves a performative act of temporarily returning canvases to their original locations, symbolising traces of presence and records of inhabited spaces. During this process, the imperfections of natural elements like light and wind become part of the visual narrative. 

  • Hwado No. 1, 2024

    Stain, Asian Paper, Sand, Modelling Paste, Glue on Canvas
    66 x 66 cm

  • Hwado No. 2, 2024

    Acrylic, Asian Paper, Sand, Modelling Paste, Glue on Canvas
    76 x 61 cm

  • Hwado No. 3, 2024

    Acrylic, Asian Paper, Sand, Modelling Paste, Glue on Canvas
    102 × 102 cm

  • Hwado No. 4, 2024

    Stain, Asian Paper, Sand, Modelling Paste, Glue on Canvas
    66 × 66 cm

Hwado No. 5, 2024
Stain, Asian Paper, Sand, Modelling Paste, Glue on Canvas 
56 × 56 cm 

Hwado No. 6, 2024
Acrylic, Asian Paper, Sand, Modelling Paste, Glue on Canvas 
102 x 152 cm

The Hwado project departs from narrative-driven work, shifting the focus toward a direct exploration of self and space. It calls to venture into nature, to immerse in its embrace, and to document Lee’s experiences as she confronts the challenge of “recording” these encounters. The process involves a series of tasks— from exploring the terrain to constructing frames and applying paper and canvas— all of which are integral to leaving her mark on the work. Through this, she seeks to capture the essence of space through landscape painting, translating her experiences into tangible artworks. By relocating these landscape paintings to their original environments, the aim is to deepen the connection between the painting and the space, elucidating the intricate relationship between them. 

Hwado No. 7, 2024
Stain, Acrylic, Asian Paper, Sand, Modelling Paste, Glue on Canvas
102 x 152 cm

Hwado No. 8, 2024
Stain, Asian Paper, Glue on Canvas 
102 x 66 cm​

Hwado No. 9, 2024
Stain, Acrylic, Asian Paper, Sand, Modelling Paste, Glue on Canvas 
61 × 61 cm

Hwado No. 10, 2024
Stain, Asian Paper, Glue on Canvas 
66 x 102 cm

Reflecting on the artist’s previous project “Ikebana”— a short autobiographical film inspired by the Japanese art of flower arranging— Lee recognises the profound power of storytelling in materialising intangible concepts. Employing the motif of “seasons” as a unifying thread, she sought to weave disparate memories into a cohesive narrative, punctuated by surreal elements that underscore the editing process inherent in storytelling

  • Hwado No. 11, 2024

    Acrylic, Asian Paper, Sand, Modelling Paste, Glue on Canvas 
    102 × 102 cm

  • Hwado No. 12, 2024

    Stain, Asian Paper, Sand, Modelling Paste, Glue on Canvas 
    61 × 61 cm

Hwado No. 13, 2024
Stain, Acrylic, Asian Paper, Sand, Modelling Paste, Glue on Canvas 
61 x 76 cm

Hwado No. 14, 2024
Stain, Asian Paper, Glue on Canvas 
61 × 61 cm