In Symbols of Longevity: Crane and Turtle, Bok-hee Kwak reimagines two of Korea’s most enduring icons of auspicious fortune through the meticulous artistry of silk embroidery. One panel depicts golden and blue cranes amid pine, bamboo, and swirling clouds; the other features turtles navigating stylized waves beneath a crimson sun, framed by fantastical rock formations. Executed with luminous silk threads on a silk ground, the diptych harmonizes traditional motifs—including the “ten symbols of longevity” (십장생)—with Kwak’s refined contemporary sensibility. The result is a vivid celebration of life’s enduring vitality, where heritage craft becomes a timeless visual blessing.
b. 1951
Bok-hee Kwak is a Korean embroidery artist and the designated apprentice of Yoo-hyun Choi, holder of National Intangible Cultural Heritage No. 80 (Korean Embroidery). As director of the Traditional Embroidery Culture Center since 2017, she has been committed to preserving and advancing the heritage of Korean embroidery through teaching, creation, and cultural exchange. Her works, distinguished by meticulous craftsmanship and refined reinterpretations of traditional motifs, have been showcased in major exhibitions and commissions, including projects for the Sulwhasoo flagship store and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Sweden. Exhibiting both in Korea and internationally, Kwak has received numerous awards recognizing her artistry, ensuring that the delicate beauty and cultural depth of Korean embroidery continue to resonate in contemporary contexts.
Plum Blossoms on a Ten-panel Embroidered Screen at Sulhwasu Spa, Myungdong Lotte Hotel, 2018