When Tigers Used To Smoke - Minhwa

Inspired by a detail from the design created for Young Huh’s home, When Tigers Used to Smoke transforms a playful vignette into a standalone decorative artwork. A hand-painted smoking tiger and rabbit are framed by a printed border inspired by traditional Korean design. The title references the Korean folktale refrain “When Tigers Used to Smoke” — a whimsical equivalent to “Once upon a time” — evoking a world in which animals serve as enduring protagonists of folktales both humorous and profound. Each character is individually hand-painted over approximately 30 hours, with every brushstroke leaving subtle variations that reflect the artist’s hand. Framed in stained, oiled and waxed Oak.