K-ART: Reimagining the Buddha's path: 'Eight Views, Eight Senses'

This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yuls Buddhist painting First Sermon in the Deer Park displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17 AJP Han Jun-gu — This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yul's Buddhist painting 'First Sermon in the Deer Park,' displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17. AJP Han Jun-gu

Artist Jeong Ha-yul poses for a photograph in front of her Buddhist painting Parinirvana displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17 AJP Han Jun-gu — Artist Jeong Ha-yul poses for a photograph in front of her Buddhist painting 'Parinirvana,' displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17. AJP Han Jun-gu

SEOUL, June 17 (AJP) - In Eight Views, Eight Senses (팔관팔감, 八觀八感), artist Jeong Ha-yul takes on one of Buddhist art's most revered visual forms, the Palsangdo, or "Eight Scenes from the Life of the Buddha." Traditionally painted in temples, these works trace eight defining moments in Siddhartha Gautama's journey, from birth to enlightenment, and to final nirvana. But for Jeong, the Palsangdo is more than a historical or religious artifact. It's a reflection of the human condition.

"The Palsangdo doesn't just recount the Buddha's life. It reflects our own," Jeong said during an interview at Moowoosoo Gallery in central Seoul on June 17. "It represents the Four Noble Truths: suffering, the cause of suffering, the end of suffering, and the path to that end. These aren't just abstract ideas. They're deeply human experiences we still live through."

The exhibition reimagines each of the eight scenes using a different medium and technique. Gold pigment on black silk, soft silhouettes, layered narrative compositions, even stark ink on bare white cloth. Through these varied approaches, Jeong draws out the emotional nuance and spiritual gravity of each moment.

The exhibition opened to considerable attention, much of it sparked online. "There was a lot of interest even before the exhibition started, especially on Twitter," she said. "So many people came, and I did my best to explain the meaning behind each piece to everyone who visited. I am not sure whether I successfully explained everything, but I was really happy whenever someone walked out smiling."

Some works took months to complete, others more than a year. "Subjugation of Demons took about a year and three months," she said. "The next most time-consuming piece took around seven months." Despite the weight of the subject, the demon scene gave her a rare opportunity to play. "You can't really change the way the Buddha or the monks look. That's fairly fixed. But the demons? That's where I had fun," she said. "I hid in movie villains like the Joker, added demons weraing traditional Korean masks like Hahoetal and Gaksital, and scattered little references from pop culture all over the canvas."

〈Huming Bodhisattva〉

This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yuls Buddhist painting Huming Bodhisattva displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17 AJP Han Jun-gu — This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yul's Buddhist painting 'Huming Bodhisattva,' displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17. AJP Han Jun-gu

Painted in gold pigment on black silk, this piece portrays the moment from Queen Maya’s dream in which the white elephant-riding Huming Bodhisattva appears. The surreal atmosphere emphasizes the divine mystery of pre-birth and spiritual foreshadowing.

〈Birth〉

This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yuls Buddhist painting Birth displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17 AJP Han Jun-gu — This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yul's Buddhist painting 'Birth,' displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17. AJP Han Jun-gu

The Buddha’s first moment in Lumbini is rendered in silhouette, surrounded by the calligraphic inscription of “Cheonsang Cheonha Yu-a Dokjon (天上天下唯我獨尊),” or “Above and below heaven, I alone am honored.” A minimalist yet powerful expression of sacred emergence.

〈Departure from the Palace: Dreaming〉

This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yuls Buddhist painting Dreaming displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17 AJP Han Jun-gu — This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yul's Buddhist painting 'Dreaming,' displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17. AJP Han Jun-gu

This dreamlike scene captures the night Siddhartha chooses to renounce worldly life. Tucked within the inner folds of a palace maid’s robe, the depiction layers reality and dream, embodying the quiet solitude of awakening amidst slumbering illusions.

〈Leaving the Palace〉

This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yuls Buddhist painting Leaving the Palace displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17 AJP Han Jun-gu — This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yul's Buddhist painting 'Leaving the Palace,' displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17. AJP Han Jun-gu

Instead of a traditional depiction with a charioteer, Siddhartha rides alone, dressed in the attire of a Joseon Dynasty prince. The black mountain range in the distance symbolizes the Himalayas. This bold reinterpretation highlights personal will and cultural resonance.

〈Meditation〉

This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yuls Buddhist painting Meditation displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17 AJP Han Jun-gu — This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yul's Buddhist painting 'Meditation,' displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17. AJP Han Jun-gu

Rather than the gaunt figure often shown in traditional depictions, this Buddha is soft, approachable, and warmly illuminated. The reimagining invites viewers to see meditation not as ascetic suffering but as a calm, welcoming space of inner peace.

〈Subjugation of Demons〉

This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yuls Buddhist painting Subjugation of Demons displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17 AJP Han Jun-gu — This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yul's Buddhist painting 'Subjugation of Demons,' displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17. AJP Han Jun-gu

Inspired by the traditional version at Tongdosa Temple, this painting inserts iconic villains from modern pop culture into the crowd of demon armies. The juxtaposition adds both humor and a contemporary metaphor for personal and societal struggles.

〈First Sermon in the Deer Park〉

Painted using Geumni Chaesaek, a traditional method of mixing pure gold with animal glue on dark silk, this piece radiates quiet brilliance. It reflects the enduring glow of truth that transcends time, even in the depths of darkness.

〈Parinirvana〉

This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yuls Buddhist painting Parinirvana displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17 AJP Han Jun-gu — This photograph shows artist Jeong Ha-yul's Buddhist painting 'Parinirvana,' displayed at Moowoosoo Gallery in Seoul on June 17. AJP Han Jun-gu

With only ink and light washes on white silk, this final piece evokes the serene stillness of the Buddha’s passing. The absence of color emphasizes the emotional clarity of grief, acceptance, and transcendence.

Park Sae-jin, Han Jun-gu swatchsjp@ajunews.com

K-ART: Reimagining the Buddha's path: 'Eight Views, Eight Senses'

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