A dedication to Deoksugung

Students of the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage showcase work inspired by Deoksugung, or Deoksu Palace, at Gallery Hanok in Gahoe-dong, Jongno District, central Seoul.

The exhibition, titled “Deoksugung Project,” runs until Feb. 17.

Eleven students toured the palace, studied materials on it for the past year and held discussions before planning their final pieces.

Between 2014 and 2018, the school’s students will create works based on each of the five palaces in Seoul - Changdeok, Gyeongbok, Changgyeong, Deoksu and Gyeonghui. Last year, Changdeok Palace was the inspiration for the project.

Deoksu Palace was the most-used royal residence during the final years of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), otherwise known as the Daehan Empire (or Korean Empire), when pressures to open the country’s doors to foreign powers were getting stronger by the day. Princess Deokhye (1912-89), who lived in the palace at one point in her life, is seen in one of the pieces (left). She’s lived a tragic life, which has been turned into novels and other creative works.

Provided by the Cultural Heritage Administration