'After Every Winter Comes Spring' exhibition sheds light on ancestors' pursuit of hope

"Sehando" by Kim Jeong-hui is on view at the "After Every Winter Comes Spring" exhibition at the National Museum of Korea, Monday. Yonhap

By Kwon Mee-yoo

"After Every Winter Comes Spring," a new exhibition at the National Museum of Korea (NMK), centers around the work of two renowned Joseon era painters ― Kim Jeong-hui (1786-1856) and Kim Hong-do (1745-1806).

The two centerpiece paintings are "Sehando" by Kim Jeong-hui, Korean National Treasure No. 180, and "Pyeongan Gamsa Hyangyeondo" (Welcoming Banquet for the Governor of Pyeongan) by Kim Hong-do.

The first section "Wintry Days" centers on "Sehando" by Kim Jeong-hui, also known as Chusa, who was a renowned literati painter and calligrapher.

The painting was created when Kim Jeong-hui was living in exile on Jeju Island. There are four trees and a snow-covered cottage in the painting. Kim also wrote the painting's title "Sehando" on the upper right corner of the image and gave the painting as a gift to his follower Yi Sang-jeok, who sent valuable books from China.

The 15-meter scroll consists of the painting "Sehando" and comments on the painting by literary people of Joseon and the Qing Dynasty.

This is the first time in 14 years for the entire length of the 15-meter-long scroll painting to be shown, after a special exhibition commemorating the 150th anniversary of Kim's birth in 2006.

This is also the first time for the painting to be on public view after Sohn Chang-kun donated it to the NMK earlier this year. Sohn is a renowned art collector who donated over 300 artworks, collected by him and his late father Sohn Se-ki, to the museum. The museum held a special exhibition "Treasures from the Sohn Collection of Calligraphy and Painting" in 2018 when he donated the majority of his collection.

"'Sehando' portrays the loneliness of Kim Jeong-hui as well as his appreciation for his students. We express a very deep gratitude for Sohn Chang-kun, who allowed all Koreans to appreciate this priceless painting," Min Byoung-chan, director general of the NMK, said.

French filmmaker and media artist Jean-Julien Pous portrays Kim Jeong-hui's struggles and introspection through his film about Jeju Island from a foreigner's perspective.

Also on view are Kim Jeong-hui's letters to his friends and students, who helped him during his time in exile.

Kim Jeong-hui's artistry was later studied by calligraphers O Se-chang and Son Jae-hyung as well as Japanese scholar Fujitsuka Chikashi. At the exhibit, a video shows how Son retrieved "Sehando," which was taken to Japan in 1940 by Fujitsuka, in 1944.

"Yeongwangjeong Yeonhoedo" is part of "Pyeongan Gamsa Hyangyeondo," which is attributed to Joseon era painter Kim Hong-do / Courtesy of National Museum of Korea

The second section is themed "Memorable Moments," depicts the moment of elation on a fine spring day when the Governor of Pyeongan began his service and his vow to care about the minds of his people.

Kim Hong-do's "Pyeongan Gamsa Hyangyeondo" consists of three panels ― "Yeongwangjeong Yeonhoedo," "Bubyeokru Yeonhoedo" and "Wolyaseonyudo," each portraying banquets at Yeongwangjeong Pavilion, Bubyeokru Pavilion and by the Daedong River.

"This is a media art exhibition, which provides an enhanced experience of appreciating cultural heritage through media art," the exhibit's curator Yang Seung-mee said.

Along with the original painting, the life-size recreations of lively characters from the streets of Pyongyang stride across the gallery, while dancers breathe new life into the traditional dances captured in the painting in a four-minute video.

"The dance of 'gisaeng' (or female entertainers) was the highlight of these banquets. However, the painting cannot move, so we tried to present the vividness of the dance," the curator said.

Visitors take photos of a media art piece recreating nighttime banquet based on "Wolyaseonyudo" at the National Museum of Korea, Monday. Yonhap

The nightly banquet portrayed in "Wolyaseonyudo" also gets a new life through media art from dark riverside to fancy event.

"The two paintings might differ in theme, but they have something in common ― the people who share the joys and sorrows of life. We hope viewers can discover the value of people around them and everyday life through this exhibition," director general Min said. "If you feel lonely after watching 'Sehando,' please take a look at 'Pyeongando' to find joy and warmth."

The exhibit runs through Jan. 31, 2021.

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