Bojagi means wrapping cloth. Many bojagi are made from a solid piece of fabric, but some are made by piecing together fabric remnants into a patchwork. One of the most striking aspects of bojagi (also written as pojagi) is that the seams are done in a way so it looks “done” from both sides of the fabric. It is different from other quilting styles made from three layers of fabric. It means bojagi looks delicate but it is actually very strong, and was used to wrap and carry many types of objects.
Learn more about gift wrapping with fabric in this Trashmagination podcast episode
Bojagi Exhibit at the Korean Cultural Center
In January and February 2019, the Korean Cultural Center in Washington DC hosted an exhibit called Tradition Transformed, featuring the bojagi art of Kumjoo Ahn, Julia Kwon and Wonju Seo. I was thrilled to listen to their presentations at the exhibit opening. Here are photos I took at the exhibit.
The Words in my Colors – Bojagi piece by Wonju Seo – featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019
White Wonderland – Bojagi piece by Wonju Seo – featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019
Ramie Bojagi by Kumjoo Ahn – featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019
Blue Wall Hanging Bojagi by Kumjoo Ahn (close-up) – featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019
Bojagi by Julia Kwon – featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019
Like Any Other: No. 55 (Reclining Nude) – by Julia Kwon (close-up)- featured at the Tradition Transformed exhibit, Korean Cultural Center, Washington DC, January-February 2019
Here are some links and videos about these artists:
Kumjoo Ahn’s website
Julia Kwon’s website
Julia’s exhibit calendar – many exhibits in the DC area in 2019
Wonju Seo’s website
My First Bojagi
I watched a tutorial by Vivika Hansen DeNegre to learn how to sew bojagi with my sewing machine. My first piece was made with upholstery samples that were used by interior designers to plan curtains.
Bojagi by Carla Brown, Trashmagination – from upholstery samples
Bojagi by Carla Brown, Trashmagination – from upholstery samples – displayed in window
Bojagi by Carla Brown, Trashmagination – from upholstery samples
I also found inspiration in the work of Kiva Motnyk from the Thompson Street Studio.
Furoshiki cloth wrappingCloth wrapping, known as furoshiki in Japan and bojagi in Korea, is a traditional and waste-free way of wrapping gifts, packing lunchboxes, and much more.
Posted by SBS Australia on Wednesday, December 19, 2018
Show Details
Script for this podcast episode about bojagi or pojagi (not a transcript but gives the main ideas)
The Trashmagination podcast theme music is Kitchen from the Marian Circle Drum Brigade.
