Saturated spirals of blue, green, and magenta curl into intricate forms reminiscent of tree rings and geological formations. At first glance, the sculptures by Korean-born artist Jae Ko might appear to be carved from wood, molded from clay, or hewn from stone. Yet, the true medium is far more ordinary: paper. These works, known collectively for their paper artistry, draw viewers into a world where paper transcends its everyday utility.
The Art and Process of Jae Ko’s Work
For over four decades, Ko has been redefining the sculptural potential of paper by transforming discarded office supplies, recycled kraft paper, and adding machine paper rolls into intricate, often monumental art pieces. Her latest exhibition, Striated, at 22MUSE Gallery in Antwerp, Belgium, showcases a pivotal period in her practice along with a site-specific installation. This exhibition is also Ko’s first solo venture in Belgium, where her creations are given a grand platform.
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Ko’s meticulous process combines methodical rigor with experimental creativity. She starts by unwinding tightly coiled paper rolls and reshaping the material through methods like rolling, twisting, folding, stacking, and compressing. Some pieces are infused with sumi ink, a traditional Japanese ink made from soot, while others are dyed with vibrant pigments, introducing rich hues of blue, red, green, and violet. Her techniques may also include cutting, carving, binding, or even burying the paper to let time and the environment sculpt its final form, resulting in stunning examples of sculptural paper forms.
The variety in her work is striking. Some sculptures curl inward like tightly wound spirals, their edges forming rhythmic patterns reminiscent of natural phenomena such as tree rings or sedimentary layers. Others extend into elongated ribbons, folding back on themselves to create shapes that seem fluid despite their solid construction. The sheer accumulation of layers gives these sculptures a visual heft that belies their fragile paper origins, a testament to the complexity of her creations.
Central to Ko’s art is the contrast between delicacy and durability. Through repetitive processes and compression, she creates paper structures that hold significant volume and complex three-dimensional forms. This transformative journey is visible in every ridge, groove, and curve, making each piece a unique work of paper art.
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Nature significantly informs Ko’s art, although her sculptures rarely mimic specific landscapes or organisms. Instead, they delve into the forces shaping the natural world: erosion, growth, accumulation, and movement. Her large-scale installations, formed from tightly packed paper bundles that loosen as they ascend, can evoke images of rolling hills, ocean currents, or glacial movements. These surfaces appear to flow and shift even while remaining still, characteristic of her paper works.
Ko’s artistic trajectory has been influenced by her geographical journey from Seoul to Japan and eventually to Maryland’s Eastern Shore in the United States. Her work encapsulates both urban and natural environments, drawing inspiration from landscapes such as the bristlecone pines in America’s West, trees whose forms are etched by the elements.
The exhibition’s title, Striated, highlights the fine lines and grooves integral to Ko’s work, reflecting time and labor embedded in each fold and edge. These artworks function as records of their intricate creation processes, emblematic of the enduring allure of her sculptures.
Find Striated at 22MUSE Gallery in Antwerp, Belgium, through November 28, 2026.
Source: design-milk.com
Frequently asked questions
What medium does Jae Ko use for her sculptures?
Jae Ko uses paper as the medium for her sculptures, transforming discarded office supplies, recycled kraft paper, and adding machine paper rolls into intricate art pieces.
How does Jae Ko create her paper sculptures?
Jae Ko begins by unwinding tightly coiled paper rolls and reshapes the material through methods like rolling, twisting, folding, stacking, and compressing. She may also infuse the paper with sumi ink or dye it with vibrant pigments, cutting, carving, binding, or even burying the paper to let time and the environment sculpt its final form.
Where is Jae Ko’s latest exhibition located?
Jae Ko’s latest exhibition, Striated, is located at 22MUSE Gallery in Antwerp, Belgium.
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