20,000 hand-painted tiles shape mosaic of memory at ik-joong kang’s installation in new york

ik-joong kang’s hangeul wall: a symbol of unity and memory

Ik-Joong Kang unveils his latest installation, the Hangeul Wall, at the Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY). Stretching 22 meters in length and standing 8 meters tall, the structure comprises 20,000 hand-painted tiles featuring the Korean alphabet, Hangeul. Fusing traditional artistry with modern digital tools, Kang invites an international audience to contribute to this immersive, participatory artwork, which expresses themes of unity, identity, and shared human experience.

The artist emphasizes that while traditional walls are meant to divide, the installation serves as a symbol of connectivity and shared understanding. The work then becomes a wall of hope rather than a barrier; a bridge that connects people from around the world. Each tile features messages and drawings that create a visual mosaic of human experiences.

all images by Kunning Huang

co-created with participants from across the world

The Hangeul Wall reflects Ik-Joong Kang’s dedication to merging art and social connectivity. The structure is not merely static but it is the culmination of a collaborative digital project initiated by the Korean artist in May 2024. Through an interactive online platform, participants from over 50 countries were encouraged to create artworks inspired by words or ideas that resonated with them. From 7,000 submissions received, Kang and his team carefully selected 1,000 entries to form part of the wall, blending diverse perspectives into a unified visual narrative touching on ideas of family, memory, longing, and aspiration.

The installation’s unveiling coincides with Kang’s 40-year retrospective exhibition, We Are Connected, at KCCNY. Alongside the wall, visitors can experience some of Kang’s other acclaimed works, which together underscore his fascination with blending diverse influences and cultural motifs to create meaningful artistic statements. The uniting characteristic across his works is then a profound sense of inclusivity and collective memory. One of his most celebrated projects, Amazed World, featured over 40,000 children’s artworks from 150 countries and was prominently displayed at the United Nations Headquarters in 2001, symbolizing global unity and hope. Similarly, his Floating Dreams installation, a luminous three-story structure on the River Thames in London, powerfully highlighted themes of separation and reunification, inspired by the Korean War.

Ik-Joong Kang unveils his latest installation, the Hangeul Wall

Ik-Joong Kang’s recent endeavors, including Things I Know in Madrid and the upcoming Four Temples near the Pyramids of Giza, continue his mission of connecting diverse voices through shared art. His public art is both monumental and intimate, fostering an evolving conversation about identity, heritage, and the collective experience of humanity. By intertwining Hangeul, a fundamental element of Korean culture, with global contributions, Kang’s Hangeul Wall installation exemplifies his mission to inspire dialogue across borders.

stretching 22 meters in length and standing 8 meters tall

the structure comprises 20,000 hand-painted tiles featuring the Korean alphabet, Hangeul

1,000 entries from across the world form part of the wall, blending diverse perspectives into a unified visual narrative

the unveiling coincides with Kang’s 40-year retrospective exhibition, We Are Connected

intertwining Hangeul, a fundamental element of Korean culture, with global contributions

the artist’s works are both monumental and intimate, fostering an evolving conversation about identity

on view at the Korean Cultural Center New York (KCCNY)

project info:

name: Hangeul Wall
artist: Ik-Joong Kang

location: Korean Cultural Center New York

photography: Kunning Huang 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: ravail khan | designboom