HELENA

This painting captures the dialogue between highs and lows in both nature and human experience. I blend Eastern and Western techniques using traditional East Asian materials: hanji (Korean mulberry paper known for its durability), mukmul (black ink), and bunchae (natural pigments).

Mountains rise in expressive brushstrokes inspired by sumukhwa (ink-wash painting), their peaks marking life’s rhythm of ascent and descent. Black washes sweep away what once was, while clear blue currents rush through the valleys, carrying possibility. Flower-like forms, reminiscent of maehwa (plum blossoms that bloom in the cold and symbolize renewal), dance along the streams.

Some days are bright; others dim into darkened waters. Yet the painting resolves in celebration. Vivid obangsaek hues, the Korean color spectrum representing balance, protection, and luck, bathe the viewer in warmth. Like nature itself, the painting embraces imperfect renewal, which is never uniform, yet endlessly wondrous.