In Praise of Moonlight: Joomchi, Mulberry Paper, and Material Transformation
In Praise of Moonlight No.1 and In Praise of Moonlight No.2 (2024) are large-scale collage works by Jittimon Manthranon the owner of Analogift, created using Thai mulberry paper supplied by Kozo Studio. These works celebrate color, texture, and transformation through a material-driven approach that draws inspiration from the joomchi technique and traditional collage practices.
What Is the Joomchi Technique?
Joomchi is a traditional Korean technique that transforms paper into a dense, leather-like material through moisture, pressure, and physical manipulation. Rather than layering sheets with adhesive alone, joomchi involves wetting papers and repeatedly rubbing, kneading, pressing, or compressing it by hand so that the fibers interlock and fuse together.
The result is a surface that is highly tactile, sculptural, and organic. Paper treated with joomchi gains strength, flexibility, and dimensionality. The process emphasizes physical engagement with the material, allowing chance, movement, and touch to play an active role in shaping the final form.
In Praise of Moonlight No.1 (2024)
Thai Mulberry Paper | Traditional Collage | 130 × 150 cm
This square-format composition is rich and immersive. Overlapping translucent layers of colorful mulberry paper form a dynamic surface in which shapes shift and dissolve, with touches of Granite Paper adding depth and enhancing its nocturnal, dreamlike quality.
In Praise of Moonlight No.2 (2024)
Thai Mulberry Paper | Traditional Collage | 140 × 180 cm
More fluid and organic in form, In Praise of Moonlight No.2 is inspired by the magic of the moon, a place where creatures transform into whatever they desire and gather beneath the glow of the full moon. The work exists in a liminal space between dreams and reality, where boundaries between sky and water dissolve and intertwine. The layered mulberry paper, combined with joomchi-inspired manipulation, creates an otherworldly ambience filled with movement and quiet energy.
Mulberry Paper as an Expressive Medium
Mulberry paper is central to these works. Known for its long fibers, strength, and translucency, Thai mulberry paper allows color to pass through overlapping layers, producing depth and subtle shifts of hue. Its durability also critical for repeating manipulation without tearing, making it especially suitable for Joomchi technique.
In creating these pieces, Jittimon chose mulberry papers from Kozo Studio. We offer a wide selection of handmade and machine-made papers designed to support both traditional techniques and contemporary exploration. Made in Thailand from sustainably sourced mulberry fibers, our papers are known for their versatility, tactile richness, and sensitivity to collage, printmaking, and mixed-media applications.
