Minhwa_Leopard, 55 x 72cm, Color on lacquered Korean Paper
Leopard(or Tiger) is a popular subject in Korean Art. The spiritual animal is often described as a god of the mountain in old Korean stories. Having no such technology as photography most of the artists must have painted the animal only from a glance or inspired by someone else’s painting. That is why the facial expressions in leopard painting are various and often exaggerated I imagine.
People like to have a leopard painting on the front door or the first wall you face as you walk into your house for it is believed to drive away evil spirit trying coming into your house. Often painted with pine tree and magpie it is also a lucky sign that brings good things into your house. For that reason in many leopard and tiger paintings, the animal has either charismatic and scary or friendly and funny looking face.
Tiger and leopard were often confused in Korean Art because of their similar appearances. I chose the title ‘범'(Bum) that embraces both species.
SUNJU JIN Studio 