The humble handheld fan, or buchae (부채), serves more than a practical purpose in Korean culture—it is a richly textured canvas for vivid visual art, calligraphy, and poetry. In its fullest form, the decorated fan yields both light and wind.
A new exhibition opening April 7 at the Korean Embassy’s Korean Cultural Center features more than 75 works of art and craft by nearly 40 Korean artists, including painted fans, standing works of calligraphy, traditional Korean art, Western-inspired painting, and muninhwa (문인화), a unique form of traditional Korean visual art in the tradition of the noble literary artist, pairing ink painting with calligraphic poetry.
Among the featured artists in this exhibition are the president and officers of the Seoul-based Haedong Calligraphy Society and select artists from the Korean Fine Arts Association. The opening reception on April 7, beginning at 6:30 pm, will include a light Korean reception following remarks by the exhibition curator and president of the Haedong Calligraphy Society, Kim Jong-tae.
This exhibition will remain on display through April 15. The Korean Cultural Center is open to the public 9 am – 5:30 pm every weekday.