Brushes, Ink, & Choco-Pie
You can get that really expressive brush stroke with the calligraphy brush (yangbalm).
Throughout September (9th - 23rd), cultural events like the Korean Calligraphy workshop were run all around the ANU as a part of the Immersia 2024 program from the School of Culture, History and Language. Immersia is unique and free campus event that draws together the amazing community of ANU and the broader the Canberra/ACT region.
Cultural dance workshops, games afternoons, and showcases of elements of cultures from Asia and the Pacific are just some of the incredible events that were put on as a part of the Immersia program for 2024.
The Korean Calligraphy workshop was run in collaboration with KOZA (Korea Australia Alliance) and included guidance and materials (including the thick brush known as the 'yangbalm'). There were Korean snacks such as the delicious, chocolate and marshmallow Choco-Pie, and chips with flavours that you can't find in Australian supermarkets (but perhaps should be there, like sweet-buttered popcorn flavour!).
Among the workshop participants were staff and students from across ANU, as well as a group of staff from the National Museum of Australia, who were interested in learning about Korean cultural practices for potential future exhibits. Through the ready availability of stencils to copy traditional Korean letters, flowers, and shapes from nature such as tree branches, and the technical guidance from the workshop teachers, everyone had a go at Korean Calligraphy (Seoye). The fine paper that was used specifically for the workshop prevents the ink from bleeding too much and reacts uniquely with the thick and thin brushes that were used. As one guides the brush with three fingers at an approximate 90-degree angle across the page, pressure should be applied gradually more and more in order to prevent the bold lines from splitting into thin, wispy, lines.
The Korean Calligraphy workshop was a successful event for Immersia 2024 (even selling out!) and marked another year of cultural experiences and learning at the ANU that is brought to the ANU community and broader Canberra/ACT region by the ANU School of Culture, History and Language.
Watch out for Immersia 2025 in September next year for your chance to come along to the Korean Calligraphy workshop to learn an ancient skill (with modern snacks!).
