Jane Jin Kaisen: ‘Halmang’ at esea contemporary

Maja Lorkowska, Exhibitions Editor
3. Jane Jin Kaisen, 'Halmang', 2023, video still, courtesy of the artist
3. Jane Jin Kaisen, 'Halmang', 2023, video still, courtesy of the artist

20 January — 21 April 2024 Entrance is free — Visit now

esea contemporary kicks off the year with a new exhibition by Jane Jin Kaisen exploring erosion of culture, local identity and memory. 

Halmang is both the name of the display and of the artist’s brand new film (2023), recorded in the hometown of Kaisen’s grandparents by the black lava rock coast of Jeju Island, off the coast of the Korean Peninsula. The artist herself was born on Jeju Island and moved to Denmark in infancy. She returned to the island in her adult life and delved into the local history as well as its ecosystems and spirituality, thoroughly researching the area which in turn informed her art practice. Explored from a transnational feminist lens, Kaisen reveals the results of her research from the last decade. 

Still from 'Halmang', a video artwork by Jane Jin Kaisen. An elderly woman with short brown hair leans against a rock on Jeju Island, south of the Korean peninsula. Looking at the viewer with a neutral expression, she wears a long sleeved blouse with a floral pattern and is holding a long white cloth.
Jane Jin Kaisen, ‘Halmang’, 2023, video still. Courtesy of the artist.

The exhibition pays particular attention to the women living on the island – the word halmang in Jeju means ‘grandmother’ but is also used to refer to shamanic goddesses, such as Yongdeung Halmang, the wind goddess. Shamans in Korea are often female and Shamanism itself in the area predates other religions prevalent today, such as Buddhism and Christianity. 

The artist highlights the link between women and spirituality by working with Jeju haenyeo – sea diving women in their 70s and 80s (and the means by which the artist’s mother and grandmother made a living.) The film features them sitting on volcanic rock, meticulously folding and connecting sochang, a white, long cotton cloth symbolising the spiral movement of spirituality and the cycle of life and death. The visuals are set to the sounds of crashing waves and haenyeo’s songs, adding to the piece’s emotional resonance. The exhibition connects the show’s location, Manchester’s former Victorian fish market, and the artist’s history with Jeju island.

Alongside Halmang, the display features books and reference material as well as Kaisen’s older works Of the Sea (2013) and The Woman, The Orphan, and The Tiger (2010). Of the Sea (2013) features a performance of the artist retracing her mother and grandmother’s steps along the shore while carrying a book written by her grandfather, former Head of the Commemoration Committee for Jeju Haenyeo’s Anti-Colonial Resistance Movement. The Woman, The Orphan, and The Tiger (2010) examines generational trauma. 

Jane Jin Kaisen artworks are both visually striking and informed by extensive interdisciplinary research, so the the show is most likely to leave you feeling enlightened and moved.

20 January — 21 April 2024 Entrance is free Visit now

Where to go near Jane Jin Kaisen: ‘Halmang’ at esea contemporary

Carden Park
Cheshire
Hotel
Carden Park

Huge luxury estate, featuring high-end restaurant, beautiful rooms, a fully-packed spa and much more.

We sell comics, graphic novels, manga, role playing games, board games, collectible card games, merchandise, apparel and much more besides!
Leeds
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Travelling Man Leeds

A quirky little shop for comics, graphic novels, role-playing and board games, with frequent in-store events.

Further North
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Further North

Kind of like your front room, but with better beers and no television, Further North was one of the first microbars to open in Leeds and remains a staple today.

Wax Bar
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Wax Bar and JukeJoint

The Wax Bar and JukeJoint is a trendy, funky new bar with an old school theme running right through the middle from the Americana jukebox, to the vinyl records and player, old-style radio, 1980s ghetto blasters acting, quite effectively, as bar shelves and the lampshades on the walls that have been made out of classic cassette tapes.

House of Fu Leeds
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House of Fu Leeds

A Japanese-inspired restaurant speciaising in ramen and handmade dumplings, with a karaoke cocktail bar and lounge upstairs.

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Newly opened cakery in Stevensons Square, Northern Quarter Manchester. Get Baked brings all the Yorkshire charm and sweetness one of the city’s most popular squares.

Discover Lotherton, a country estate, historic hall and Wildlife World zoo. Our Edwardian estate is truly a great place for a family day out, with plenty to keep children and grown ups entertained! The expansive grounds and gardens are lovely walking spots, with or without four-legged companions. Each season brings new surprises including wild garlic in the spring, a sea of colourful blooms in summer in the formal gardens and stunning autumnal colours later on in the year. We have two playgrounds which means there's plenty of space for running about and letting off steam, with zip wires for older children to enjoy. Our evolving zoo, Wildlife World, is a real highlight of any visit and we'd highly recommend popping by to see the Humboldt penguins splash and swim in their pool. Other colourful characters include Arthur the tapir, our resident porcupines and a flamboyance of pink flamingos. Stop in at the shop on your way to pick up your very own version of one of our Lotherton
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Lotherton Hall and Estate

A truly great place for a family day out, discover Lotherton, a country estate, historic hall and Wildlife World Zoo.

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