Issue 66: Hanji Art of Steph Rue

The power of crafting handmade paper art and what it teaches us

Hi KP!

These days, art made with 정성 (jeong-seong: heartfelt effort) is on my mind. I think a lot about handmade and handcrafted art. In the era of easy digital painting tools as well as AI-generated art that sparks mixed reactions among people, art created through pure physical labor, an honest investment of time, and sincere care feels more special than ever. That might be why I fell so deeply in love with Steph Rue's art and her commitment to sharing this ancient craft.

Steph creates stunning pieces using handmade hanji, Korean traditional paper made from mulberry trees. While her finished works are breathtaking, the process of making hanji is already an art form in itself. Today, I want to share a documentary video of her making hanji and 'Daughter,' an earnest and profound piece she created in response to the tragic shooting spree in Atlanta-area spas in 2021.

Through her art, you'll witness the beauty of “delicate yet strong and resilient” hanji, and the powerful message she wants to convey with it. I hope you find it as moving as I did.

Sweet & Salty: Hanji Art of Steph Rue

In this short documentary produced in collaboration with Asian Art Museum (San Francisco), artist and paper maker Steph Rue shares the detailed process of her hanji making as well as the inspiration and meaning behind her piece “Daughter,” a quilt meant to be a letter to her daughter to invoke a sense of warmth and safety. “Delicate yet strong and resilient” is how she describes hanji and which is a fitting description for her art as well. Although hanji is paper, Steph uses it as if it’s fabric because it’s so durable and strong. She dyes, weaves, sews, and irons hanji — pushing the boundary of what paper is. Through Daughter, Steph raises powerful questions: What does it mean to feel safe? Who deserves to be safe? These questions resonate deeply in today’s world.

I have always loved hanji, but until I watched this video, I didn’t know how it was made. Seeing the detailed process gave me a deeper appreciation for both the material’s beauty and the craftsmanship involved. I would love a chance to take a workshop from Steph Rue in the future. You can explore more of Steph Rue's work on her website, where you can also subscribe to her newsletter and learn more about her community workshops and collective art projects!

Watching this beautifully-made documentary also piqued my curiosity about the Asian Art Museum and their collections. If you have been there, I would love to hear about your experience!

Dollop of Fun: Handcraft K-Dessert Workshop

Image from Rice Blossoms & KCCNY

Speaking of handcrafted art, Rice Blossoms is partnering with the Korean Cultural Center, NY to host a songpyeon making workshop this week. When I attended Rice Blossoms’ songpyeon workshop in 2023, I was captivated by the delicate artistry involved in shaping these traditional yet modern rice cakes and inspired by founder Jennifer Ban's warm, engaging teaching style. You can learn more about our friend in KP’s Q&A feature with Jennifer from last year. Her workshops beautifully embody the spirit of handcrafted jeong-seong. If you're in NYC, I highly recommend attending — info and tickets are available here.