Pu’uhonua (Place of Refuge)

kapa (Hawaiian barkcloth)-bojagi (Korean wrapping cloth)

Wauke (paper mulberry tree): undyed and dyed with indigo and kukui, joomchi (traditional Korean paper texturing method), hanji/bidan (Korean paper and silk textile), traditional Korean textiles (silk and ramie), silk thread

54.5 X 29.5 inches
2025

"Refuge" is a sanctuary — an intimate space, where I can seek solace from the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of life, and feel shielded and nurtured. When I lived on Hawai’i Island, while studying the art and craft of making kapa (Hawaiian barkcloth), I often visited Pu’uhonua O Hōnaunau, a sacred place of refuge, where I found peace and healing. The stillness and calm of these visits offered me a deep connection to both nature and Spirit.

The color palette in this piece evokes the natural world — the sky, earth, and ocean — and serves as a bridge to my connection with Spirit, the Universe, and God. It creates a sense of serenity and belonging within me. This bojagi, crafted from hand-stitched fragments of kapa, traditional Korean textiles, and joomchi, is a visual representation of interconnectedness.

"Refuge" embodies a state of being where connection, safety, inclusivity, reciprocity, and resilience converge. It is both a personal sanctuary and a universal invitation to find peace in the unity of all things.