Material Memory Studio — Research
Material Research Library
A living archive of material references, historical sources, biomaterial experiments, pigments, binders, and artistic research — accumulated across 12 countries and ongoing studio practice.
Each entry includes what the material is, why artists use it, historical context, basic process, common failures, and Jay's own studio notes. The library grows with each workshop, residency, and research trip.
Field Research
Material Trips
Field research documentation — New York · Boston · and beyond
Browse by Category
Mineral Pigments
Stone, powder, and stick pigments — Korean traditional painting materials and their global equivalents
Earth Pigments & Shell White
Ochre, clay, yellow earth, Korean 황토 — and 호분 (shell white) from weathered shells
Animal Glue — 아교 (Agyo)
Hide glue, fish glue, rabbit skin glue — binders and sizing agents for Korean traditional painting, canvas preparation, and gilding
Gromwell — 자초 (Lithospermum erythrorhizon)
Korean purple root pigment — shikonin extracted in oil or alcohol, not water
Learn & Make
From archive to studio — learn these materials in person
The research here forms the foundation of our workshops and 1:1 material consultations. If you want to work with a specific material — hands-on, in the studio — reach out.