Bio
Heejung Shin is a multidisciplinary artist from Korea whose work spans installation, drawing, and painting. Her practice investigates identity, the fragility of the human body, and the law of impermanence, focusing on the cultural and social displacement that leads to the loss of language, culture, and self. Using Hanji, traditional Korean mulberry paper, she creates layered collages and immersive installations that embody themes of resilience and transformation.
Heejung holds an Honours degree in Fine Arts Studio Practice with an Intensive Studio Specialization from the University of Waterloo. Her achievements include recent project funding from the Ontario Arts Council and awards such as the Printing Special Award, Helen L. Cross Memorial Scholarship, and Vern Hacking Award. She has exhibited at the Gang-Won Contemporary Art Group Exhibition at Gangneung Museum of Art in Korea and was featured in Nuit Blanche Winnipeg, showcasing her growing presence in the art world.
Artist Statement
Hanji, Korea’s time-honored mulberry paper, embodies resilience, texture, and a profound connection to the earth, echoing stories rooted in generations. In my work, Hanji becomes a vessel for exploring the delicate balance between diaspora and identity through abstract landscapes. Each fragment of paper, whether cut, torn, or repositioned, retains its intrinsic integrity, symbolizing the diasporic experience — individuals separated from their ancestral lands yet holding onto their essence.
My collages, composed of layered Hanji, mirror the convergence of diasporic communities, where histories, traditions, and memories intertwine to form a cohesive yet multifaceted identity. Abstract landscapes serve as their backdrop, representing the emotional terrains of belonging and longing. These shifting geographies evoke nostalgia for homelands, the embrace of new communities, and the in-between spaces of self-discovery.
Through this interplay of Hanji and abstract forms, my work acts as a bridge, connecting histories and geographies while reflecting on the enduring spirit of displaced communities. It celebrates the beauty of resilience and transformation, honoring the narratives of those who find harmony in the duality of their roots and adopted homes. For me, this confluence is not just a medium but a dialogue on identity, migration, and the stories we carry forward.
