Obangsaek (오방색, 五方色) Workshop

The Obangsaek (오방색, 五方色) workshop responds to the growing interest in Asian cultures and enriches the cultural and artistic diversity of Chicago communities.

Obangsaek is the traditional Korean color spectrum consisting of blue (or green), red, yellow, white, and black. These five cardinal colors symbolize protection, fortune, prosperity, and harmony. Rooted in Korean culture, Obangsaek is also deeply connected to the ancient Chinese philosophy of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements (陰陽五行說), developed by Taoist thinkers in the 6th century BCE. In this workshop, participants explore the cultural meanings and traditions associated with Obangsaek while creating their own collage artworks using these symbolic hues.

Artist Bio

Young Kim is a Chicago-based interdisciplinary artist from South Korea whose practice includes painting, weaving, installation, hand papermaking, and performance. She earned a BFA in Textile Art from Hongik University in Seoul and an MFA in Fine Arts from Columbia College Chicago in 2023. She is currently pursuing an MA in Modern and Contemporary Art History at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Young has exhibited widely in solo and group exhibitions across Korea, the U.S., and internationally. She was awarded the Albert P. Weisman Award and the Haystack Fellowship in 2023.

Young’s art practice is rooted in Buddhist philosophies that portray this world as a suffering world, sabba, where humans experience dukkha, meaning unhappiness, despair, or pain, due to excessive attachment to tangible or intangible materials. These teachings also emphasize cultivating wisdom and loving-kindness as a path toward nirvana, the ultimate state of peace. Believing that art can be a vehicle for easing suffering, Young creates works that convey life-affirming sensations such as hope, joy, transcendence, and serenity. She dreams of her showcase offering a sanctuary to the people of sabba. 

from left to right: 1. Obangsaek Diagram 2. Dancheong (단청) 3. Rainbow-striped garment (색동옷)

The works are created by instructor Young Kim for the workshop examples.

Host or Publisher Heritage Museum of Asian Art