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| Artist Shin-hee Chin speaks at a dedication ceremony for the commissioned
fiber art work she made called "A Pillar of Cloud." More photos from Inauguration and Homecoming Weekend |
November 1, 2005
A fiber art piece titled "A Pillar of Cloud" by artist and
faculty member Shin-hee Chin was dedicated in the lobby of Mary Miller
Library in Smith Center Friday afternoon, October 28.
The 54-inch tall by 162-inch wide three-dimensional work uses a variety of yarns
to provide an array of colors that she says "denotes the multi-cultural
atmosphere of Hesston College." For inspiration, Chin drew from Mary Miller's
book titled A Pillar of Cloud, a history about the college's first 50 years,
from the Hesston College song with lyrics written by Ursula Miller, as well as
the college's unique Mennonite heritage.
"Last April, I was asked to make this commissioned art work for Dr. Keim's
inauguration," she said. "I was honored and delighted. Dr. Keim was
the one who believed in my potential and my passion for Christian education." Chin,
born in Korea, earned her bachelor's and master of fine arts degrees from Hong-Ik
University, Seoul, Korea. She also has a master's degree in fiber arts from California
State University (Long Beach). She has participated in many solo, duo, and group
exhibitions across the U.S. and in Seoul, Korea.
Chin and her husband Kusup live in McPherson, Kan., with their two children.
Keim hired her as an art instructor while serving as academic dean at Tabor College
during his last semester at the Hillsboro, Kan., college last fall. She continues
at Tabor part-time, and provides instruction for watercolor and graphic design
at Hesston College.
According to Keim, Chin says her work brings together her Christianity, her being
female, and her intercultural experience. "As Hesston College continues
as a Christian institution, welcoming students from around the world," he
said, "it is particularly fitting that Shin-hee Chin be the artist for this
occasion."
In accepting the art piece, Keim said, "Your sensitivity to the history
and culture of Hesston College, and your willingness to become part of that story,
is a gift to us. I pray that your insights, and your own culture, as seen in
this art, will continue to inform all of us in the years ahead."
Nancy Miller, a member of the Campus Art Committee and Hesston College graphic
designer, said the work can speak to the viewer on multiple levels. "The
unfolding of the book begins fittingly with the central focus on the classical
pillar, which also serves as the binding for the book, an apt representation
of academic pursuits."
"The story can be traced with the sweeping "S" curve that forms
two hemispheres. The movement in this line reminds us of the migration of Mennonites
across the seas. On another level, we see the use of color, left to right as
we read, following the academic calendar of fall to spring.
"Outside the book form, as though springing from the pages themselves, we
find seed images--seeds of wisdom, if you will. These seeds also may represent
the turkey red winter wheat that provides our nutritional sustenance, while for
our spiritual nourishment, these seeds of God's truth plant the education roots
of Hesston College.
"The flowing 'S' line furthermore echoes the moving of the Holy Spirit,
intersecting with the pillar to form a cross shape laid upon the biblical foundation
of the college.
"The transition of color and line, in the artist's own words, 'provides
balance, harmony, and positive change, a change for the better,' visualizing
hope and prayer for Hesston's continued success in meeting the challenges of
the future."
Chin started on the art piece in May, and worked on it full-time in June and
July. "As I made it, I imagined 100 years of college history and how God
provided," she said. "I enjoyed the privilege to work with the piece.
Lois Misegadis, chair of the Art department and the Campus Art Committee, said, "Both
the Art department and the Campus Art Committee are delighted to have another
addition to our campus art collection. We're happy we could work with Shin-hee
Chin to make it happen.
"Shin-hee did an excellent job of making the piece specific to Hesston College," Misegadis
said. "She so conscientiously worked with the space and with the mission
and spirit of the college.
"The piece is incredibly rich, lush, and colorful. Her embroidery technique
is a delight to the eye. At a distance, the colors dance across the piece. Up
close, you can see the depth of layers of yarn used to create the image.
"I love the motifs used," Misegadis continued. "They are universally
symbolic and come from a variety of rich cultures. The undulating lines suggest
land. The repeated areas of crescents suggest seeds. And the repeated swirls
give the impression of water, ocean, and movement.
"The piece works well in this space. And it's great we could do this for
the Inauguration of Dr. Keim. He has great respect for Chin and admires her work.
So it's great we could make this all come together."