Soaring (Narsha)

Presented by the Han-Mee Artists Association of Greater Washington (HMAAGW)
June 14 – August 10, 2025

Artists:

Clare Chang
Younho Choi
Eunmee Chung
Jilian Chung
Kisoon J. Griffith
Jihee Hahn
Barbara Han
Yumi Hogan
Sunhee Kim Jung
Bo Kim
Hyun Jung Kim
Jean Jinho Kim
Jinchul Kim
Joo Kim
Jungeun Kim
MyungSook Ryu Kim
Sumita Kim
Tae D. Kim-James
Kyujin Lee
Choung-Hee Lim
Yoonsun Lim
Minsun Oh Mun
Jeong Sook Oh
Jinsoon Oh
Komelia Hongja Okim
Junghwa Kim Paik
Yeong-Hi Paik
In-soon Shin
SuLi
Serena Yeo
Sam-Kyun Yoon

Curated by Jung-Sil Lee, PhD

Komelia Okim, Rainbow Landscapes 11, Free standing sculpture, 2023-24. A metal sculpture with a square frame, angular shapes at the top, arcs, diagonals, and zigzags across the square, and a forest of angular shapes atop sticks.

Komelia Okim, Rainbow Landscapes 11, Free standing sculpture, 2023-24. Silver figures, copper, bronze, steel base, chemical patinas, oil stick, 32 x 34.5 x 11” inches.

Overview

American University Museum is proud to host Soaring (Narsha)—a landmark exhibition celebrating five decades of artistic achievement, cultural resilience, and the evolving spirit of Korean-American identity. Featuring works by 31 artists across a wide range of mediums and styles, the exhibition reflects on heritage while looking boldly toward the future.

Presented by the Han-Mee Artists Association of Greater Washington (HMAAGW) in honor of its 50th anniversary, Soaring (Narsha) highlights both the richness of Korean cultural traditions and the lived experiences of Korean immigrants in the United States.

Narsha, an archaic Korean word meaning “to soar high,” originates from Yongbieocheonga (Songs of the Dragons Flying to Heaven)—the first literary work written in Hangul. In this foundational text, six dragons ascend to the heavens, a metaphor for new beginnings and national transformation. In this spirit, the exhibition reimagines that upward flight through contemporary expression. We invite you to experience this powerful celebration of culture and creativity!

-Read Washington Post review "31 artists for 31 visions of Korean American experience"