Hands-on is pleased to present Hwado, a presentation of recent works by Jimin Lee.

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.

This collection of medium-format photographs serves as the physical embodiment of each moment's essence, inviting viewers to share in the emotions and experiences that reflect the flow of space and time. Using natural materials like Hanji (traditional Korean paper) and sand, Lee’s work involves techniques of layering, staining, and scratching to evoke depth and texture. Each piece reveals the dynamic evolution of colours and materials, inviting profound contemplation on the nature of art and existence.

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.