Eunju Park is an award-winning self-taught artist from Ulsan, South Korea, now based in St. Albert, Canada. She began her artistic journey later in life as a way to reconnect with her Korean heritage and fight depression. Working with Hanji, traditional Korean paper known for its strength and longevity, Park developed a distinctive practice of tearing and layering it by hand to form Hangul, the Korean alphabet. Her work combines material and language to create contemporary art rooted in Korean culture and messages of resilience and self-worth.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

My art grew from a personal search for strength during a time of depression after losing my father to suicide. Music reminded me of hope, and the possibility of moving forward. Today, I bring that same spirit into my work through Hanji and Hangul. I tear Hanji and reconstruct it to form words and messages such as “You Are Doing Good 잘하고 있어,” “I Believe in Myself 난 날 믿어”, and “Radical Acceptance 받아들임.” The affirmations I create influence the way I live, and the physical act of tearing and rebuilding becomes part of my own healing. I hope viewers feel the energy and intention behind each piece and see their own lives from a more compassionate or hopeful perspective. My goal is to create art that honours Korean tradition and reminds us that beauty and strength can emerge from struggle.