In Gunhakdo (Flock of Cranes), Bok-hee Kwak depicts nine red-crowned cranes—symbols of longevity, fidelity, and peace in Korean art—with exquisite precision and elegance. Set against a serene pale-blue silk ground, the cranes wade, rest, and take flight, their forms harmonized by the gentle sway of willow branches and the solidity of a rocky outcrop. Each feather is rendered through meticulous layers of silk thread, capturing both the luster of plumage and the rhythmic flow of the composition. By uniting traditional symbolism with a refined contemporary sensibility, Kwak transforms this time-honored motif into a living tableau that resonates with cultural memory and enduring grace.

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