Capturing the Lives of Elderly Residents in Heukseokgol on Hanji
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Lee ByungJae(2025-08-20 23:44:51)
- Jeonju Cultural Foundation to hold community art exhibition 'I'm Happiest Today, Spring for Me'
The Jeonju Cultural Foundation (CEO Choi Rak-gi) will hold an exhibition titled 'I'm Happiest Today, Spring for Me,' which expresses the lives and memories of the elderly in Heukseokgol through hanji art, at the Jeonju Millennium Hanji Center from the 20th.
Heukseokgol in Seohak-dong, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, where the exhibition takes place, was once a place where traditional hanji industry flourished to the extent of being called 'Hanji Gol.' This exhibition revisits the memories of the region and the history of the community through life stories recorded in paintings by the elderly residents living there.
The works are the result of the 'Grandma and Grandpa's Old Stories' hanji art project in which indigenous and immigrant elders participated, covering various themes such as ▲stories of home and family ▲livelihood in those days ▲my spring story ▲pride of Heukseokgol ▲difficult times ▲old Heukseokgol landscape. The exhibition title, derived from a writing by participating elder Ahn Gong-hee, encapsulates the current happiness and the meaning of artistic activities.
This project is gaining attention as a community art that embodies local identity beyond simple hanji experiences. Particularly, it received a great response when it participated in the 'Seoul Illustration Fair V.19' held at COEX in Seoul last July, showcasing the potential of art activities that bridge generations by producing postcards featuring the elders' works. The exhibition was carried out in collaboration with the community art group 'Irang Gorang.'
CEO Choi Rak-gi expressed his hope that "the resonance connecting generations and regions through the paintings imbued with the lives of the elderly" and stated, "I hope this exhibition will lead to community art activities centered around the Jeonju Millennium Hanji Center, leaving a significant cultural asset for Heukseokgol."
The exhibition will run daily from 9 am to 6 pm until September 20, and will be closed on Sundays and Mondays. An SNS certification event for viewing is also being held, and for more information, inquiries can be made to the Hanji Culture Team of the Jeonju Cultural Foundation at 063-281-1630.
