Julie Hwang (Julie H.C.)

Julie H.C. is a South Korean textile and mixed-media artist based in Bangkok, Thailand, whose work explores the intersection of cultural heritage, contemporary aesthetics and the expressive possibilities of textiles.

Working primarily with archival fabrics and silk from the renowned Thai heritage brand Jim Thompson, Julie transforms traditional materials into contemporary works of art. Through an intricate process of sewing, layering, stitching and assemblage, she gives historic textiles a new visual language, creating sculptural compositions that explore movement, memory, identity and the passage of time.

Her artistic practice is deeply influenced by her multicultural background and experiences across Korea, Europe, North America and Southeast Asia. This international perspective informs a distinctive artistic dialogue between Eastern traditions and contemporary Western art movements, bringing together cultural references that are both personal and universal.

Artistic vision and inspiration

At the heart of Julie’s practice is a fascination with the emotional and cultural stories embedded in textiles.

Rather than treating silk simply as a decorative material, she sees each fabric as a repository of history, craftsmanship and collective memory. By reinterpreting archival Jim Thompson textiles, she creates a bridge between Thailand’s rich silk heritage and contemporary artistic expression.

A recurring element in her work is the traditional Korean fan, particularly inspired by the visual and cultural traditions of the Joseon Dynasty. Historically associated with refinement, scholarship and artistic expression, the fan becomes a powerful symbol in Julie’s work, representing femininity, independence, resilience and personal identity.

Through its structure and movement, the fan also provides a framework for exploring the relationship between softness and strength, tradition and transformation, and stillness and movement.

The relationship with Jim Thompson silk

The collaboration with Jim Thompson fabrics is central to Julie’s artistic language. By incorporating carefully selected archival textiles from the Jim Thompson collection, she brings new life to fabrics that carry distinctive patterns, textures and cultural associations.

Her approach goes beyond conventional textile art. Through meticulous hand-sewing and innovative assemblage techniques, she reconstructs the fabrics into layered, dimensional compositions that appear almost kinetic.

The contrast between the historical richness of Thai silk and her contemporary sculptural approach creates a fascinating dialogue between heritage and reinvention.

In this sense, her work celebrates not only the beauty of Thai craftsmanship but also the potential for traditional materials to evolve and find new relevance within contemporary art.

Selected exhibition: RESONANCE (2026)

In June 2026, Julie H.C. presented her debut solo exhibition, RESONANCE, at West Eden Gallery in Bangkok, curated by Camilla Russell. The exhibition brought together a collection of works created primarily with archival Jim Thompson textiles, exploring the relationship between cultural memory, femininity, identity and artistic transformation.

Influenced by post-war assemblage and found-object art, Julie reimagined historic fabrics as contemporary sculptural compositions. The recurring fan motif connected her Korean cultural heritage with the history of Thai silk, creating a conversation between two artistic traditions.

The exhibition also reflected her commitment to sustainability through the reuse and reinterpretation of existing materials. A portion of proceeds supported Inspiring Girls Thailand, an organisation promoting educational and creative opportunities for young women.

Selected works included:

• Tethered Peace (2026)
• Veiled Brilliance (2026)
• Unspoken Grace (2025)
• The Crimson Pavilion (2025)
• Autumn Unbound (2025)
• Unresolved Balance (2025)

Artistic philosophy

Julie’s work is ultimately about connection: between cultures, generations, materials and people. Her practice demonstrates how traditional craftsmanship can transcend its original function and become a medium for contemporary storytelling. By combining Korean cultural references with Thailand’s silk heritage, she creates works that are rooted in history yet distinctly contemporary.

Through the transformation of textile into sculptural form, Julie invites viewers to reconsider the meaning of beauty, heritage and identity, while recognizing the enduring emotional value of objects and materials passed through time.