"Omija Yeohaeng"
wax paper, oil paint, red thread, wood. 12 x 6 x 6, Spring 2026

Omija is a type of Korean berry, known as the five flavor fruit. Yeohaeng is the Korean word for journey. Together these two words translate loosely to the five flavor journey. Like the Omija, which encompasses all five different flavors, the journey to finding identity that many Korean adoptees face is filled with a myriad of emotions and experiences. This lantern collage with red thread embroidery represents the journey with interconnected embroidery and red coloring; symbolizing the red string theory of fate common in east asian cultures. This project uses wax paper to recreate the opaque quality of Korean lanterns. The lantern was specifically chosen because they often bear wishes of their maker. This piece wishes for a peaceful and fulfilling journey for all adoptees as they search for identity.