Cover (Bojagi)

Currently not on view

Cover (Bojagi)

2001

Kim Hyeon-hui (Korean, born c. 1946)

Bojagi are square pieces of cloth used to drape offering tables, wrap sacred texts, cover food, and carry belongings. The inclusion of this type of textile in a ceremony or transaction is a sign of respect, as bojagi are believed to contain good fortune, hence the common practice of wrapping important objects or documents in them.

Bojagi are frequently pieced together from small scraps of fabric, making their creation an exercise in design. As seen in this example created by Kim Hyeon-hui, their geometric compositions resonate with the work of twentieth-century artists Paul Klee (Swiss, 1879–1940) and Piet Mondrian (Dutch, 1872–1944). While some of Kim’s other pieces include colorful embroidery, this cloth features exquisitely muted tones derived from natural dyes.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Cover (Bojagi)

Date:

2001

Artist:

Kim Hyeon-hui (Korean, born c. 1946)

Medium:

Patchwork of plain weave linen

Dimensions:

19 × 19 1/8 inches (48.3 × 48.6 cm)

Classification:

Textiles

Credit Line:

Gift of an anonymous donor, 2002

Accession Number:

2002-28-2

Geography:

Made in Korea, Asia

We are always open to learning more about our collections and updating the website. Does this record contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Contact us here.

Please note that this particular artwork might not be on view when you visit. Don’t worry—we have plenty of exhibitions for you to explore.

Currently not on view