The Korean Collection

Seoul-based designer Teo Yang’s recent collaboration with de Gournay is inspired by the history and culture of his native Korea

A much-awaited follow up to de Gournay’s collaboration with Filipino designer Jonathan Matti in 2018, this recent collection by Seoul-based interior designer Teo Yang comprises two designs, each representing a genre of Korean traditional painting. Acknowledging the popularity of contemporary Korean culture, with this collection Yang hopes to bring traditional Korean aesthetics to a much wider audience.

The imagery found in the two designs includes a traditional royal palace-style painting and a still life. According to Yang, both represent ‘the way of living in the Joseon Dynasty,’ referring to the period of time in Korea’s history from 1392 to 1897.

The first design, named Steps for the Flowers, is a royal palace architecture painting inspired by two Korean palaces, representing hwagye (‘flower stairs’), a traditional terraced garden decorated with flowers and uniquely shaped stones, usually for the queen or a female member of the royal family. Yang’s depiction includes various symbols, including peonies for wealth and honour, butterflies for longevity and frogs for good fortune. Stylistically, the design captures the sophistication of architectural paintings typical of the Joseon Dynasty, and Yang says the colouring was created with a ‘spring night time in mind, with white peonies in full bloom and the sky illuminated by the full moon.’

The second design is named The Art of Learning and shows the intellectual culture of the Joseon Dynasty through the traditional chaekgeori (‘books and things’) style of still life painting, which focuses predominantly on books. It’s an image that shows the desire for learning and admiration for the books themselves, revealing the extent of Koreans’ appreciation of books and expressing their unique beauty. From the green books that stand out against the black background, the modern candlestick and the reflective stone, Yang says he ‘hopes to introduce the historical artifact of admiring the book in a contemporary aesthetic.’

Yang explains that both designs highlight the importance of ‘respect for nature and living a humble life, always putting yourself in the position to learn and to improve’ — qualities that are highly valued in Korean culture.

Words / Suzy Annetta
Images / Studio Shim