Not just about Art...

Today happens to be Teachers Day in Korea. My move to this country has been synonymous with immense learning, both the untutored and tutored variety. This welcome break from the 'nine-to-nine' corporate routine has given me a chance to connect with some lovely people from whom I learn traditional Korean art forms such as 'Minhwa' painting and 'Hanji' paper craft. Needless to say they are supremely proficient in their fields, with decades of experience of the art, and of the style of imparting it.They are tough task masters, but patient at the same time, with just the right balance of hand-holding and letting go when necessary... :-)

I really look forward to these lessons, but not just for the wonderful skills am getting to learn from them. It is because these classes are more than just about the forms of art they teach. It is here that I get to meet people from all parts of the world, different backgrounds, different age groups. We engage in fascinating conversations about each other's culture, peculiarities of the countries we hail from, have delicious 'pool-in' lunches on a regular basis, thereby getting a chance to sample food from different parts of the world and learn along the way. I remember one time when I carried some home cooked biryani to class, and loved how much everyone enjoyed it ! The discussion about the cooking style, the spices and ingredients that went into making it was delightful...

 ( the 'biryani' we all enjoyed together in my 'Hanji' class)

Another thing that comes to my mind is how there is always some marshmallow or cake that my teachers give us during class, accompanied by lovely coffee or tea to keep the energy levels high :-) Drawing and painting go so well with music, and my teachers always play inspiring tunes in the background. On Fridays we tune into the more upbeat numbers on the radio, it's the weekend after all :-)

My 'Hanji' paper craft teacher in particular is someone I really admire and adore. She is like my local guardian in this country, making sure she comes to see me off to my taxi after class, instructing the cabbie not to drive 'Pali-Pali' ( fast in Korean ), ever willing to translate stuff from Korean into English for me, recommending nice places to visit around Seoul and in general very caring and warm. She has been teaching the art, which involves cutting out and piecing together bits of handmade Korean paper for nearly thirty years now, and is a veteran in the field. She has to be one of the softest, kindest and most humble souls I have met in life, and she is so much fun to be around :-) With her, the craft, which requires extreme patience and precision, becomes so much more enjoyable, time flies and I cannot wait to go back to her the following week just to enjoy those few hours in her company....

( That is a table lamp I made out of 'Hanji' paper, took many months of work,but my teacher's presence and support made it so much simpler, I think it was worth the effort, smiles )

...my art classes in Seoul are something I really look forward to, for my teachers make them worth much more than the expertise that they involve. I cherish my time spent with these talented ladies. Thanks to them I get to bring home lovely Korean craft that I make under their guidance, and create a bunch of happy memories with my time spent in their company.They truly are gifted souls, masters of their craft, and ever so willing to help out a 'Waygook' (that means a 'foreigner' in Korean ) like me...needless to say my journey in this country would be less colourful sans them, and I will remember them wherever I go.

 I do not know if they will get to read this, but if they do, I just want to tell them that Korea feels more like home thanks to them :-) Happy Teachers Day and thank you for teaching me and opening for me not just your art, but also your heart and your world...'Kamsamnida' !! :-)