Iris Berger visited South Korea four times between 1994 and 1997. Her paintings show mountain landscapes, including the Diamond Mountains; modern and traditional Korean architecture and the synthesizing of Confucian symbolism with modern life. Iris is interested in representing Modernity’s urban experiences through the entwinement of myth, transport and architecture.
Seoul is a city of many modern buildings alongside traditional palaces. Iris intermingles busy roads and flows of vehicles with the traditional Korean way of representing flowing water.
She uses the Confucian symbolism of the sun and moon. The number five is symbolically depicted by the Peaks of Five Happinesses. Pine trees are symbols of longevity and water flowing from the mountains represent the source of life. The yearly Lantern Festival is a celebration of Buddha’s birth.