One element that defines my work is the negative space created when I arrange the Hanji paper. By negative space I mean the space between the papers that takes on its own interesting shapes. Even though these spaces are vacant, they become a vital part of the artwork and are as interesting to me as the colors and shapes of the papers. The two elements – positive and negative – work together to imbue the overall artwork the character I am trying to achieve.

If you have a moment, I invite you to view the video “Nexus of Wax and Joomchi” on my website. In it I explain the role I see negative space playing to keep my artwork interesting to viewers over the course of days, weeks, months and even years.

What does all of this have to do with yoga? Aside from the visual interest, I also use these negative spaces as a chance for the artwork to “breathe.” One of the explanations my yoga teacher gives as I stretch into my poses is that I am opening up and giving my body room to breathe. I imagine this to be the same for the artwork with the negative spaces opening it to an extra dimension. The viewer has room to enjoy the nuances of each shape and layer of the Hanji while experiencing the light and shadows of what is in between.