Paper never looked so beautiful

The following is part of a series exploring unique museums, collections and the passionate collectors behind them. ― Ed.


The wonders that can be created with something as seemingly simple as a piece of paper are awe-inspiring. Although paper is used in everyday life on such regular basis, its intrinsic and artistic value is oftentimes overlooked. Beyond its practical uses such as material for printing and jotting down notes, paper itself is actually a form of artistic expression.

Despite the advances of high-tech societies where paper may seem like an obsolete material soon to be almost entirely replaced by electronic devices, paper has in the past and is to this day an invaluable component in both the architecture of material goods as well as a platform for the creative community. 

Korean historical literature has claimed that Korean people have been using paper since the fourth century and that it is supposed that the art of paper folding in the country started around the same time. Dard Hunter, a renowned American historian of paper manufacturing, has stated that Koreans were most likely the first people in the world who made color paper and dyed paper with natural materials, as well as being the first innovators and users of the envelope.

The Jong Ie Nara Paper Art Museum in Jangchung-dong is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of paper both as a practical material as well as a form of creative expression. The museum has a collection of works that range from historical and traditional artifacts made from hanji, or mulberry paper, to modern-day paper-made art pieces ― that could very well be displayed in any prestigious art gallery ― all the way to examples of Korean folded paper art, or jongi jeopgi. 

Korea has a long tradition in the art of paper making. Paper has been used in unique ways in the country both as works of art and as everyday necessities ― traditional doors, windows, walls, ceilings and floors all use paper. The second floor of the museum is dedicated to traditional paper artifacts as well as paper art, abstract canvases and sculptures.

On the traditional side, visitors can see various pieces of practical Korean artifacts made from mulberry paper such as umbrellas, fans, hats, lanterns and bowls. And on the modern side, the second floor also houses an array of papier-mch sculptures and 2-D art canvases that are so elegant and intricate in their design that they look as though they couldn’t possibly be made out of pieces of paper. Some of the abstract works on display include wall canvas pieces made entirely out of old newspapers, book pages and scraps of cardboard.

On the other side of the paper spectrum, the first floor of the museum currently has on display a temporary exhibition showing a wide variety of colorful folded paper art, more popularly known as origami. The displays are beyond the small paper airplanes and boats that most people have learned to make during their time in elementary school art classes: These pieces broaden the imagination and scale of paper as an art form. Among some of the exhibitions are a giant origami forest equipped with swinging monkeys on trees and large elephants ― all created by folding paper, bringing life to ordinary colored pieces of paper.

The Jong Ie Nara Paper Art Museum has a collection of around 5,000 various paper artworks ranging from the historical exhibitions on the development of paper to more modern and kid-friendly displays. Visitors not only have the opportunity to view the museums’ unique collections of paper and paper work, but can also take classes and join workshops on the art of folding paper. The museum also sells a wide variety of how-to books on paper folding for children and adults as well as paper of almost every color imaginable for those who wish to try out their origami skills on their own.

Jong Ie Nara Paper Art Museum

(02) 2279-7901

Location: 1Ga 62-35 Jangchung-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul

Hours: Monday ― Saturday from 9:30 a.m. ― 6 p.m.

Admission: Free

For more information, visit http://www.papermuseum.or.kr/

By Julie Jackson (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)