Artist Statment:
These two figures, Hanbok Cowboys, are pictured in a classic cowboy shootout. Constructed from repurposed fabrics; old curtains, tea towels, silk scraps and felt, these materials are pieced together with hand applique stitching. These cowboys appear clad in cinematic western costumes transposed into traditional Korean dress (the Hanbok).


This work is a study of the widespread connotations of the Western movie genre. The classic American cowboy embodies an image of all American masculinity. The image brings to mind associations of freedom, glory, and chauvinistic values. Classic Westerns, a movie genre birthed from the long history of Westward expansion, have served as an emblem of American heroism and have redefined the global influence of American media. I attempt to infuse an Asian femininity through laborious craft practices, textile and color pallets, into this iconic image of American dominance. This work is equally a celebration of the genre and commentary on its violent influence.