Border(less)
Border(less)
October 16th - November 14th, 2023
UAH Wilson Hall Gallery, University of Alabama, Huntsville, AL, USA
My exploration of borders transcends geographical and political demarcations, unfolding into fluid and imaginative realms. Border(less) delves into the idea of borders as fictional and ever-changing concepts, examined through the lens of critical cartography and experimental mapping strategies. I present maps as human documents—fictional constructs of man-made divisions where boundaries are never absolute.
In this collection, the tangible intertwines with the abstract. During the height of the pandemic, I rekindled my drawing practice, resulting in drawings that interpret the border as an imaginary space constantly changing through gestural mark-making and numerous lines that obscure a single definite line. Through a blend of historical insight and artistic rhythm, my creations unfold as dynamic interpretations of borders, embodying the transient nature of the mutable boundaries defining human experience.
Utilizing Joomchi, a meticulous Korean papermaking technique, I craft maps that transcend physical landscapes, embodying a rich tapestry of cultural, political, and social narratives. Each piece, infused with labor and tradition, stands as a testament to the layered and interpretative nature of our world’s depictions. These creations are shaped, molded, and enriched with meaning through human touch. The tactile richness of a Joomchi map, with its organic nuances, emphasizes the idea that maps are, inherently, products of human imagination—human documents reflecting our narrative inventions and the cartographer’s worldview.
This project invites viewers on a journey through the delicate interplay between reality and fiction. It illuminates the profoundly human narratives of borders, unveiling maps as quintessentially human documents. In Border(less), my works resonate with a nuanced amalgamation of materials and concepts, offering a reimagined lens through which we perceive and navigate our world.
