Bona Fide

In collaboration with 이정원 Jung Won Lee

Basswood (linden), ginkgo, plywood, soil, found dowels, jute, paint, paper, EMS Korea

Dimensions variable
2025

Installed for Pitted by PULP Collective at Area405 (Baltimore, USA, 2025.)

Bona Fide is a promise of mutual care across borders—from Korea to the USA. Carving two leaves from species native to each land, the wooden leaves link in a gesture of support and sincerity like a pinky promise.

In order to ship Lee’s ginkgo leaf from Seoul to Baltimore, a letter stating that the contents of the box were a “bona fide gift” had to be printed for review upon US entry. In the time before Lee’s package arrived, a copy of the mail receipt was placed in the dirt. Upon arrival, Li brought the package with the carved ginkgo leaf to the ginkgo tree closest to Lee’s old residence in Baltimore.

Together, the two leaves speculate other grounds of connection within countries that demand proof of authenticity.