ATLANTA, GA.- South Korean artists Jeong Han Yun and his wife, Choon Hyang Yun are widely regarded as the vanguard of a movement that has thrust traditional papermaking out of a limiting construct into the very forefront of the contemporary art world. Each is celebrated for their mastery of technique and composition. The word “painting” lacks in description when defining their work. Their fusion of Asian and Western paper making techniques result in monumental works of extraordinary textures and vibrant color. The material of Jeong and Choon's work is most often extracted from the bark and flowers of the ancient Southeast Asian Dak tree.

Jeong states that he “feels his heart beat when Dak trees are found and is appetized when the barks are peeled off.” Such is the sensual and psychological connection that he feels to the material from which he makes his work. Jeong’s feelings, thoughts and movements are stored in the cellulose of the barks and the fibers of each piece are infused with his genes and DNA.

These tactile works of paper contain Jeong and Choon's essence, embodying each instinctive gesture in lush, organic material. Each piece invites the viewer into an intimate connection with the timeless essence of the natural world.

South Korean artist Choon Hyang Yun has been working with traditional Asian paper since 1985. Since that time, she has gained international recognition for her ambitious advancement of the medium. Her works redefine the tenants of Asian papermaking by expanding them into monumental scale characterized by strong expressionistic undercurrents. At their core these works represent a compelling polarity to the aggression and exuberance typically associated with Abstract Expressionism.

The word “painting” lacks in description when defining Choon’s artworks. Instead of working merely with paints and brushes, she has created extraordinary textures from handmade papers most often extracted from the ancient Dak tree. Because the handmade papers possess characteristics of being painted as well as those from their textures and colors, one notices the multiple effects achieved by the works. Choon is recognized for her mastery of this mesmerizing material – in particular it various textures, and noble and rich colors - to express her abstract and sensual descriptions in art.