| Title | Layered Time: Grapevine Lattice |
| Artist / Creator | Jana Sim |
| Artist's Nationality | Republic of Korea |
| Place of Publication | Seoul |
| Publication Date | 2025 |
| Process / Technique | Laser cut on acrylic, hand-bound by Jana Sim |
| Medium / Materials | Laser-cut acrylic sheets, archival photograph, linen thread |
| Dimensions (WxHxD) | 3.5 x 13 x 1 inches |
| Edition Size | Limited edition of 4 |
| Box / Wrapper | Portfolio box |
| Signed & Numbered | Signed and numbered edition |
Layered Time: Grapevine Lattice by Jana Sim
This work explores how tradition and memory accumulate over time. Inspired by the grapevine lattice pattern from Injeongjeon Hall at Changdeokgung Palace in Korea, it highlights the symbolic depth of traditional Korean latticework, where the grapevine symbolizes prosperity and abundance.
The assembly of the lattice reflects how memories and experiences layer to shape identity. Growing up, I watched my father, a Seoul Intangible Cultural Heritage artisan, restoring traditional latticework. For him, it was more than craft—it was a ritual of preserving tradition.
Recently, I revisited Changdeokgung Palace with my father to see the grapevine lattice door he restored during my childhood. Hearing his stories, I gained deeper respect for his dedication. A photograph of the door, taken that day, is included in the box, connecting memory and art.
It symbolizes the connection between past and present, tradition and personal experience, through the ritualistic gestures of craftsmanship.
Artist Bio
Jana Sim is a book artist born and raised in Korea. In 2002, she moved to the United States to study art. While majoring in painting at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, she discovered book arts and quickly became captivated by it. She later earned her MFA in Book & Paper from Columbia College Chicago. Her works have been showcased in international exhibitions and are part of collections at universities, museums, and with private collectors. In 2012, she returned to Korea and began learning traditional Korean latticework from her father, a master artisan recognized as Seoul’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. She started combining book arts with traditional lattice designs, creating works that connect personal stories with Korean traditions. Her work explores themes of memory and connection, offering a unique and meaningful artistic perspective.