From Tiger Skins to Magpie-Tigers: Tracing K-Culture’s Roots in Korean Painting
Creatrip Team
a month ago
A new exhibition at Gallery Hyundai in Samcheong-dong, Seoul brings together royal court painting and folk paintings (minhwa) to explore how traditional Korean imagery evolved across classes and influenced contemporary K-culture. Highlights include detailed royal tiger-skin paintings (hopido) that once symbolized authority, playful magpie-tiger scenes (kkachihorang-i) popular among commoners, a large phoenix-and-peacock folding screen (bonghwang-gongjakdo), and a lively eight-panel fish-and-crab work (ehaedo) symbolizing abundance. The show also features a contemporary section, “Hwaido,” where six modern artists reinterpret these motifs—examples include Kim Ji-pyeong’s “Brilliant Hide” inspired by hopido, and Lee Doo-won’s exotic ink piece “Goblin Tiger and Magpie under the Pine.” The exhibition runs through next month and highlights the roots of globally noticed K-culture and its modern variations.
