Footsteps to Exhibitions Meeting Induhwa and Calligraphy Unexpectedly at Gwanggyo Hongjae Library

The Shinbundang Line is a metropolitan railway that departs from Sinsa Station in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and goes to Gwanggyo Station in Suwon. As the train departing Seoul passes through Gwanggyo New City, it rises above ground. Among the 16 stations, Gwanggyo Station is the only place above ground where passengers disembark.

Close to Gwanggyo Station is Kyonggi University. Getting off at the station, the Gwanggyo Hongjae Library comes into view in the distance at the foot of Gwanggyo Mountain. It takes about 10 minutes on foot to arrive.

Hongjae (弘齎) at Gwanggyo Hongjae Library is taken from the pen name of King Jeongjo. It opened in December 2014. For Gwanggyo residents, it has become a treasure trove where they stop by whenever they have time to read books and gather information.

Passing through the lobby on the first floor of the library, a small space emerges. Here, a curated invitation exhibition titled "Induhwa and Elegant Calligraphy Encountered at the Library" featuring traditional induhwa (wood-burning art) and calligraphy is being held.

In commemoration of the "2026-2027 Suwon Year of Visiting," the exhibition showcases induhwa works engraved with verses from poet Na Tae-ju, who is this year's "Book of the Year" author at Suwon City Library, to promote the value of Suwon Hwaseong and the beauty of Hangeul.

Two artists, calligraphy artist Kim Sanghoon (Brush-holding Calligrapher) and induhwa artist Lee Gunhee (Lee Gunhee Induhwa Creative Studio), have joined forces to present an original and charming artistic world.

Artist Lee Gunhee, who leads induhwa culture in the Suwon area, expressed poet Na Tae-ju's warm and heartfelt language on wood using a hot iron. He provides an opportunity to newly experience Suwon Hwaseong, which has been a major subject of his induhwa work, through induhwa art.

Artist Kim Sanghoon, who has developed distinctive fonts and maintained his reputation in the calligraphy world, expresses Suwon Hwaseong by stacking Hangeul bricks with his brush, reinterpreting Suwon's value through historical verification of the Hwaseong Seongryeok Uigwe and the aesthetic form of Hangeul. His unique artistic world can be appreciated.

A library official stated, "Through the exhibition of elegant calligraphy featuring Suwon Hwaseong and induhwa engraved with warm verses, the library has become a familiar space where people encounter culture and art in their daily lives."

The exhibition is free for anyone to visit. It runs through the 28th at the exhibition room on the first floor of Gwanggyo Hongjae Library.