By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter
The artistic spirit of painter Kim Heung-su, whose art provided Korea a foothold in modern art, has found ground on Jeju Island. The 88-year-old has graciously donated 20 works to a special exhibition at the newly opened Jeju Museum of Contemporary Art, located on the west side of the island. The artwork will be part of the museum's permanent collection.
Born in Hamneung, North Korea in 1919, Kim went on to study fine arts at Tokyo University. Critically acclaimed since a young age, the painter has held exhibitions across the United States and Europe. He is most noted for his ``Harmonism'' between irreconcilable forms of expression such as abstract and concrete art. He transforms darkness into light, capturing repressed feelings with his fresh and creative imagination.
This is the artist's first exhibition since a 2003 show held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts. It has not been an easy task for Jeju Island, historically and geographically isolated from the mainland, to present a wide array of artwork. The museum, having just opened its doors this month, reveals several of Kim's most beloved paintings for the first time, including ``Oh! Land of Morning Calm, Our Land'' (1980), which captures the spirit of Korea as an independent country.
``The boy's proud face, which resembles that of his parents, signifies his pertinent role in the reunification of the Koreas,'' he was quoted as saying to the Chosun Ilbo. ``[The painting] has finally found its resting place here at the art museum.''
Kim also reveals a painting that depicts his relationship with a haenyeo, or female diver unique to Jeju Island. His recent work titled ``Summer Haenyeo'' (2006) recalls his days as a university student in Japan, when the sight of a woman diver in a glass aquarium evoked strong homesickness.
Visitors can appreciate Kim's self-portrait, ``Portrait of a Man'' (1970); a beautiful female nude; ``In Front of the Mirror'' (1981), and other pieces that portray human emotions, love and world peace, such as ``Love for the World'' (1974-94) and ``Pregnancy'' (1995).
Kim's wife Jang Su-hyeon, who is also head of the Kim Seung-hu Gallery, said ``The donation endorses the idea that anybody, regardless of place or region, should be able to appreciate art.'' The 44-year-old further explained that most of the works on display were hard to see even in Seoul.
Kim was reported as having guided a group of young children visiting from Seoul through the exhibition. He said he hopes the art museum will help foster the arts on Jeju Island.
The Jeju Museum of Contemporary Arts is also presenting exhibitions by Western-style painter Park Gwang-jin, calligrapher Jo Su-ho, sculptor/professor Park Seok-won and embroidery craftsman/human cultural asset Han Sang-su. Call (064) 772-4003 for more information.