Collection
Jangsaengdo
Paik Tae Woun
Work Description
- Media Color on wood
- Location THE GRAND LOTTE SEOUL
Since ancient times, Jangsaengdo, which are paintings that depict flora and fauna symbolizing longevity, have been widely produced for their auspicious and decorative qualities. A painting that depicts ten or more long-lived creatures is often called Shipjangsaengdo. The Jangsaengdo by Baek Tae-Won, installed in LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL, likewise depicts long-lived creatures and natural elements such as tortoises, herbs of eternal youth, deer, cranes, clouds, the sun, mountains, water, stones, and trees through arranging and fusing together wooden pieces. Specially commissioned for the opening of LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL in 1979, this is a masterpiece of relief wood carving. It is 11 meters tall, spanning the entire wall from the 1st to the 3rd floor. The work offers the visual pleasure of locating each long-lived animal or natural element depicted with differently shaped wood pieces while being transported on the escalator, and observing the flock of cranes, whose white forms soar above the panoramic background. It is both a beautiful work of traditional handicraft in its own right, and an artwork that symbolizes the long-standing history of a hotel that has been welcoming guests at the same location for more than 40 years.
About the Artist
Paik Tae Woun was born in Taechon County, North Pyongan Province, and embarked upon a career as an artisan upon graduating from the Taechon Lacquer Art Academy. His exhibition, held in Donghwa Department Store in 1957 (now the flagship store of Shinsegae Department Store), went down in history as the first solo exhibition by a Korean artisan. He devoted his entire life to mastering and modernizing the traditional Korean techniques of Najeon (mother-of–pearl) lacquerware. His work encompasses the field of handcraft and industrial craft.
As a professor, and later professor emeritus, at Chung-Ang University College of Arts, he nurtured generations of artists, training artisans who have followed in his footsteps, nowadays called “designers.” He also had a hand in decorating the interior of the main building of the Blue House, as well as the interior of the Korean Air 747 jumbo passenger aircraft No. 1. Baek Tae-Won’s art features traditional motifs expressed in modern ways, and embodies functionality and practicality as well as sculptural beauty. His furniture, such as totem chests, bedside chests, and partitions, as well as lamps and bottles, are housed in the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Baek Tae-Won received the Jeweled Crown Order of Cultural Merit in 1997.
As a professor, and later professor emeritus, at Chung-Ang University College of Arts, he nurtured generations of artists, training artisans who have followed in his footsteps, nowadays called “designers.” He also had a hand in decorating the interior of the main building of the Blue House, as well as the interior of the Korean Air 747 jumbo passenger aircraft No. 1. Baek Tae-Won’s art features traditional motifs expressed in modern ways, and embodies functionality and practicality as well as sculptural beauty. His furniture, such as totem chests, bedside chests, and partitions, as well as lamps and bottles, are housed in the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art. Baek Tae-Won received the Jeweled Crown Order of Cultural Merit in 1997.
Paik Tae Woun (1923–2008, Republic of Korea)
Taechon Lacquer Art Academy
