Exhibition Celebrates Korean Ritual Paper Traditions
A new exhibition celebrating Korean artistic heritage has opened at Stony Brook University’s Charles B. Wang Center, highlighting the intricate traditions of ritual paper art that have shaped cultural and spiritual life on the Korean peninsula for centuries. The exhibition, titled Sacred Paper: Korean Ritual Arts, invites visitors to explore the expressive potential of handmade mulberry paper and its enduring role in ceremonial practices.
Presented in the Skylight and Jasmine galleries of the Wang Center, the exhibition focuses on two regional traditions of Korean ritual paper craftsmanship. Through elaborate cut-paper forms and delicate folded creations, artists transform a fragile material into complex sculptural works used in shamanic and communal ceremonies.
The works featured in the exhibition illustrate how paper can be crafted into banners, ornaments, and architectural structures designed to shape sacred space. In traditional Korean rituals, these paper objects often symbolize protection, blessings, and harmony with spiritual forces. Their vibrant colors and intricate designs reflect both aesthetic skill and cultural meaning.
Curators say the exhibition aims to demonstrate how these practices continue to evolve while remaining rooted in centuries-old traditions. By showcasing contemporary practitioners alongside ritual techniques passed down through generations, the display highlights the ongoing vitality of Korean craft traditions.
Artists Transform Fragile Materials Into Sculptural Forms
The exhibition features work by artists Jongseung Park and Dr. Heera Shin, both recognized for preserving and reinterpreting ritual paper traditions in contemporary contexts. Their pieces illustrate how seemingly delicate materials can be manipulated into structures of remarkable complexity and symbolic power.
Park’s work draws on the Seolwi Seolgyeong tradition of Chungcheongbuk-do, where precisely cut and layered paper structures define ceremonial spaces during rituals. These elaborate constructions often resemble architectural frameworks, created by carefully shaping and assembling thin sheets of paper into geometric forms.
Meanwhile, Shin’s work highlights the ritual practices of Korea’s East Sea coastal region. Her folded paper flowers, lanterns, and decorative ornaments animate ceremonial environments with movement and color. When displayed together, the pieces reveal the diversity of Korean ritual artistry and the adaptability of traditional techniques.
Both artists emphasize the versatility of hanji, the traditional Korean paper made from mulberry bark. Known for its durability despite its delicate appearance, hanji has long been used in Korean art, architecture, and ritual objects. In this exhibition, it serves as a medium for the expression of cultural memory and spiritual symbolism.
Cultural Programs Expand the Exhibition Experience
The exhibition’s opening was accompanied by a series of programs designed to deepen visitors’ understanding of Korean ritual practices. Lectures and live demonstrations offered audiences an opportunity to see traditional techniques in action and to learn about the cultural contexts that shaped them.
One featured event included a lecture exploring Korean shamanic traditions and the role of paper art in ritual ceremonies. Additional workshops allowed participants to observe artists crafting paper ornaments and ritual forms using traditional methods. These demonstrations provided insight into the meticulous craftsmanship required to produce the exhibition’s intricate works.
Organizers say these educational events are intended to bridge the gap between museum display and lived cultural practice. By allowing visitors to witness the techniques behind the artworks, the program emphasizes the skills and cultural knowledge that sustain these traditions.
The Wang Center’s Role in Cultural Exchange
The Charles B. Wang Center, where the exhibition is hosted, serves as a major hub for Asian and Asian American arts and cultural programming on Long Island. Located on the campus of Stony Brook University, the center was established to foster understanding of East Asian cultures and their connections to the broader global community.
Opened in 2002, the 120,000-square-foot complex was designed as a venue for exhibitions, lectures, performances, and educational initiatives that highlight cross-cultural dialogue. Its galleries frequently host exhibitions that explore both traditional and contemporary Asian artistic practices.
In addition to Sacred Paper: Korean Ritual Arts, the Wang Center currently features installations and sculptures by several contemporary artists, including Korean-American sculptor Sui Park. These exhibitions collectively explore themes of transformation, identity, and the relationship between tradition and modern artistic experimentation.
Curators say the Korean ritual paper exhibition reflects the center’s broader mission to present cultural traditions in ways that encourage reflection and dialogue. By bringing these ceremonial art forms to a university audience, the exhibition highlights how fragile materials and ancient practices continue to shape cultural expression in the modern world.
