Hojakdo (호작도)
A quiet clash between two voices
This work reinterprets the traditional Korean hojakdo — folk paintings in which a tiger and a magpie face each other with tension. The tiger, often seen as power or authority. The magpie, voice or protest. Their gaze holds a standoff.
As someone who lives between cultures, I’ve often felt that same inner duality — two identities watching each other, sometimes clashing, sometimes circling. This piece captures that moment of confrontation, not to resolve it, but simply to hold it still.
While inspired by Korean tradition, I didn’t want to mimic its style. I wanted to reference it without being confined by it. I didn’t want to define identity — only to acknowledge its shifting outlines.
Created in Singapore. A personal reflection on cultural duality. Open to collaborations exploring identity and reinterpretation of tradition.
Hojakdo (호작도)
A quiet clash between two voices
This work reinterprets the traditional Korean hojakdo — folk paintings in which a tiger and a magpie face each other with tension. The tiger, often seen as power or authority. The magpie, voice or protest. Their gaze holds a standoff.
As someone who lives between cultures, I’ve often felt that same inner duality — two identities watching each other, sometimes clashing, sometimes circling. This piece captures that moment of confrontation, not to resolve it, but simply to hold it still.
While inspired by Korean tradition, I didn’t want to mimic its style. I wanted to reference it without being confined by it. I didn’t want to define identity — only to acknowledge its shifting outlines.
Created in Singapore. A personal reflection on cultural duality. Open to collaborations exploring identity and reinterpretation of tradition.
Date:
May 2025
Timeline:
Korean Folklore
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Subscribe to receive occasional reflections on art, memory, and working with AI. No spam — just quiet updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and thoughtful images.
From My Practice to Your Inbox
Subscribe to receive occasional reflections on art, memory, and working with AI. No spam — just quiet updates, behind-the-scenes glimpses, and thoughtful images.