As I walked over the hill on St Andrews Lane, towards the Arts Centre, I faced fierce dark clouds and an impending shower but there, over downtown Port Moody was a rainbow. It seemed to add to the celebrations taking place in the gallery.

When I arrived there was a large crowd of Art patrons, this time mainly local Koreans. The Korean Cultural Heritage Society had sponsored a special show of Korean poetry, painting and music. As I was checking the ceramic show in the 3D gallery I could hear some fine classical musicians opening the evening’s events. There was also a large spread of nibblies.

The announcements, co-ordinated by gallery curator Janice Cotter, first welcomed master potter Clay Jung Hong Kim. He is the leader and teacher of the ‘Clay for You’ ceramic club. My previous blog gives some information about their show, and includes photos.

Then Janice introduced the two visiting artists featured in the title show ‘Love is the Pain of Feverish Flowers’. Poet Cheonhak Kwon had flown here from her home in Toronto and she was joined by traditional Korean-style painter Cheongcho Lee, who had travelled from South Korea for the event. For this show Lee had painted an image for each of Kwon’s poems and had written the words in Korea’s unique alphabet called ‘Hangeul’.

After thanking the Korean Cultural Heritage Society members and announcing that the newest Ceramic Artist-in-Residence is Gloria Han, Janice presented the two artists for a special performance. Cheonhak Kwon, who was wearing a beautiful, simple Korean dress, sat on the gallery floor and Cheongcho Lee respectfully knelt before her and, with efficient, spare paint strokes, applied a simple floral design and Hangeul words.

The poet then explained her work and her pleasure at the collaboration which results in the current show. It was a charming event to see.

The poems and paintings are beautiful as they are, but there are English translations available for us, to help us to appreciate their meanings.