Calligraphy Brush

Calligraphy is an expressive intersection of language, writing and visual art. In that spirit, the bristles were cut from papers printed in multiple languages. The background, hand cut from a variety of decorative papers, is a nod to the beautiful patterned bricks and tiles I saw throughout S. Korea. It echoes the idea that one art form is related to and reinforces another. This piece comes together with visual playfulness between the light object, dark background and negative space.

Each background tile was cut by hand and painted onto watercolor paper in an intentional composition with a liquid adhesive. The tiles come from decorative papers that I received when we lived in CA as well as some obtained in Italy (Florence) and S. Korea (Seoul). The brush is modeled after an antique Korean calligraphy brush purchased from an antique shop in S. Korea with an expansive collection. It was a meditative experience to consider the brushes and select those that resonated with me. In a similar way, constructing this piece was also a meditative act of reflection and expression. The decorative papers that comprise the brush are also a mix that I have collected over the years. I am most proud of the bristles, which represent multiple languages in multiple, integrated layers. The Greek is from old lexicons that belonged to my Dad; the Italian is from a calendar that depicts Italian operas; the Hangul is from Korean wrapping paper; the Japanese is from a dress study booklet from the Kyoto Costume Institute; the English is from the back of a Vogue poster purchased from the Target in Fayetteville, NC; also included are decorative papers with Eastern calligraphic design elements. I love to use vintage, decorative and everyday materials in my work - it’s simply about combining and unlocking the beauty of what is.