Flow: The Journey of Water Through the Plate
Written by Jungwon Park (Director, PAGEROOM8)
JIYASOL, the Third Artist in the 'Monad Printmaking' Series
Flow: The Journey of Water Through the Plate
In her solo exhibition Flow, JIYASOL presents over 20 lithographs that explore the flow of water and its associations with seasons, emotions, and play. The inspiration for the series began with a drawing the artist spontaneously sketched in 2021—a frog being splashed with water, recorded in a croquis notebook. Since then, water has emerged in her works in many forms: children and animals playing with falling water; tears revealing emotion; the sea evoking a sense of inner stillness; sweat under the blazing sun; steam rising from artificial heat; and rain descending from vapor-formed clouds.
As a vital element inside and outside the human body, water becomes a symbol that transcends the physical boundaries of the printmaking plate, mediating the imagery in Ji Yasol’s work. Water’s ability to transform and circulate resonates with the artist’s intention to challenge the limitations of print as a medium.
At the heart of JIYASOL’s artwork is always the human figure. Often rendered in the form of a child, the figures appear deep in thought or engaged in moments of play, wearing expressions that hint at the surrounding context. Her drawings evoke a nostalgia for innocence—a feeling enhanced by the unique qualities of lithography. The interplay of her hand-mixed inks, expressive lines, and the unpredictable effects of blending and smudging lend a sense of time suspended within the image.
The works, realized entirely through lithographic techniques, seamlessly embody her distinctive style. The resulting images strike a delicate balance—both charming and wistful. Like water cycling through its many forms, Ji Yasol’s Flow series continues its journey within a rhythm of transformation.