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YOUNGMIN LEE
KOREAN BOJAGI FOUR-POINT CUSHION
Join artist Youngmin Lee for an immersive workshop on creating Korean bojagi four-point cushions, a unique blend of tradition and contemporary artistry. Crafters will learn how to hand-stitch a small (approx. finished size 6"x6"x4”), medium (approx. finished size 10"x10"x8"), and large four-point cushion (approx. finished size 18"x18"x4”), adding delicate fabric knots and bakjwi for added texture and visual interest.
Using the traditional heritage bojagi sewing technique known as Gamchimjil (whip stitch), fabric pieces will be meticulously assembled, resulting in beautifully crafted cushions that embody the essence of this Korean art form. Under Youngmin's guidance, attendees will dive into the rich cultural heritage of bojagi quilting while honing their skills in this timeless craft.
RECYCLE FABRICS WITH JOGAKBO
Jogakbo, Korean patchwork bojagi, embodies the philosophy of recycling, as the wrapping cloths are made from remnants of leftover fabric. Jogak means ‘a small piece’ in Korean. In this workshop, participants will learn about the jogakbo piecing technique and arrange different shapes and contrasting colors. They will then finish with a jogakbo-style cushion.
BAKJWI: SYMBOL OF HAPPINESS
Throughout Youngmin’s video tutorial, crafters will hear her refer to a few Korean terms, such as “bakjwi.” Bakjwi stands for ‘bat’ or ‘flying bat’ in Korean. When written in Chinese characters, the name sounds like ‘happiness,’ so it is often used to represent joy or happiness. Koreans often use this symbol in everyday life, decoration, and Bojagi-making.
About the Artist: Youngmin Lee
Youngmin Lee is a textile artist who creates work using bojagi tradition and techniques. Her interest in textiles led her to study Clothing and Textiles in college, and she received an MFA in Fashion Design in South Korea. She has researched bojagi making and techniques and endeavors to apply her findings to traditional and contemporary art.
After moving to California in 1996, she began actively preserving the bojagi art tradition, which embodies the philosophy of recycling and upcycling. The works are made from pieces of fabric leftover from other projects.
She works closely with the Asian American community with community-engaged projects and workshops at the Asian Art Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and Saint Louis Art Museum.
In addition to teaching in person, Youngmin created the educational DVD “Bojagi: The Art of Wrapping Cloths” in 2013 to reach people from afar. She teaches at the local public school to introduce and educate students on Korean traditional textile art. She received a grant from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts Apprenticeship in 2019 and 2022 as a mentor artist and taught bojagi to her apprentice. Her new book, Bojagi: The Art of Korean Textiles with Techniques and Project, is coming in the summer of 2024.
Youngmin founded the Korean Textile Tour in 2017 to introduce Korean traditional textile art and culture to bridge broader audiences. Youngmin’s works have been exhibited and collected throughout the United States, South Korea, the UK, Romania, Turkey, and France. The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco has her works in the museum’s permanent collection.
We can’t wait to see how your suspended oksa chimes turn out. Share your creative journey and finished creation with us by tagging @thecraftersbox + @youngminlee_bojagi in your social posts. Don’t forget to use #thecraftersbox so our community can also see your workshop come to life. Happy making!
