A Heart that Weaves Banana Leaves

20 Aug. - 3 Nov. 2024

Have you ever tried to weave with banana leaves? In Korea, the opportunity to handle banana leaves isn't very common. (Although "Daefrica" [a portmanteau of “Daegu,” one of Korea’s hottest cities, and “Africa”] has proven that bananas can indeed be grown in Korea!) Still, it’s not hard to imagine their feeling and texture. With a bit more of a relaxed mindset than usual, loosely braiding the broad leaves should be quite possible even without much skill or technique in sewing or knitting.

Today, the popularity of fiber art is hotter than ever. The medium of fiber encompasses key discourses in the art world – such as postcolonialism, feminism, and formalism – while the flexible materials bring a sense of novelty to audiences accustomed to fixed forms like sculpture, installation, and painting. This exhibition at the KF ASEAN Culture House, however, aims to break away from the existing trends of mainstream fiber art exhibitions, focusing instead on ‘enjoyment’, ‘healing’ and ‘rehabilitation’ as intrinsic functions of the act of weaving.

Throughout the ASEAN region, a rich weaving culture has been enjoyed and passed down for centuries, utilizing abundant indigenous plants as raw materials. Today's artists create their own unique visual languages through the solidarity with these tradition. The works of the nine artists and teams showcased in this exhibition invite lively participation through messages of hope and tranquility – and all without neglecting profound social commentary. Through the KF-ACH exhibition A Heart that Weaves Banana Leaves, we hope you envision a happier today and tomorrow. Enjoy the show!