I’m so excited to share Ungnyeo, the product of a wonderful 14-day collaboration I did back in July with Brooklyn-based artist Rachel Egan. Big thanks to editor Lisa Locascio for introducing me to Axel Wilhite, who co-founded 7×7 along with Amy Bonnaffons. Inspired by the surrealist game of exquisite corpses, 7×7 pairs together a writer and artist. Over a two week period, the participants take turns sending each other work to create an improvised narrative. With Rachel, we came up with what became Ungnyeo.
Not only was I given the opportunity to collaborate with another artist (something I always wanted to do but had no idea how to initiate), I got to play with and retell Korean mythology, specifically the Dangun creation myth that involves Ungnyeo, the bear that became a woman. In that story, there was a tiger that wanted and did not end up becoming human. I always wondered why a bear and tiger would desire to be human.
Check out the gorgeously designed 7×7 site. They post new collaborations every Thursday, and I’m really curious to see how this magazine will grow over time.