By Honorary Reporter Choi King Chiu from Hong Kong
Photos = Choi King Chiu

The Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) in Hong Kong through Dec. 9 is hosting "Minhwa Exhibition: RAON & Destiny."

Featuring 25 paintings by 19 artists from the minwha (Korean folk art) studio Raon Hong Kong, the exhibition delves into a variety of familiar themes like flowers, birds, insects and animals to lesser-known ones including munjado (Chinese script), chaekgado (scholar's books and personal effects), and hopido (leopard skin).

During my visit to the KCC on Nov. 18, I was pleasantly surprised by the diversity of themes in the paintings. Yoon Sue-jeong's "Munjado" (Painting of Characters) offered a fusion of calligraphy and painting, prominently featuring her name in Hangeul and adorned with drawings of flowers, dragons and related patterns. All of these elements combined to create a visually striking and aesthetically impactful artwork.

Another intriguing theme displayed was chaekgado, which depicts piles of books and objects such as stationery, flowers and cabinets in stressing meticulous attention to detail, intricate brushwork and vibrant colors and expressing a profound desire for knowledge and wisdom. Lee Young-ae's artworks, especially "Jangmak Chaekgado" and the Hong Kong edition of "Chaekgado," seamlessly blended traditional minhwa elements with iconic Hong Kong landmarks, providing a modern twist to this traditional art form.

Also highly impressive were Kim Kyoung-ran's two paintings featuring tiger stripes. While I have seen before paintings with tigers as the primary motif, I found the intricate patterns and textures of tiger fur in both works through bold and dynamic brushwork unique. Kim's paintings brought the tiger stripes to life, infusing them with a captivating sense of movement and energy.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.