Johyeong Yesul (Plastic arts) vol.1, May 20 1946, Image provided by Kimdaljin Art Archives and Museum
Korean Plastic Arts Federation
* Source: Multilingual Glossary of Korean Art by Korea Arts Management Service
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Kim Kichang
Kim Kichang (1913-2001, pen name Unpo or Unbo) studied Eastern painting at Kim Eunho’s art studio Nakcheongheon. After his debut in the tenth Joseon Art Exhibition [Joseon misul jeollamhoe] in 1931, he won special selections from 1937 to 1940, and became a renowned painter. He was appointed as the first president of Paek Yang Painting Association and became a professor at Hongik University and Soodo Women's Teachers College. He was awarded the Order of Civil Merit, Peony Medal in 1981 and the Korean Art Academy Award in 1983. After he passed away in 2001, he was awarded a posthumous Geumgwan Order of Culture Merit award. Although Kim initially focused on colorful figure paintings, following in the legacy of his mentor Kim Eunho, in his later career he collaborated with his wife Park Rehyun to modernize Korean painting by adopting cubism and abstraction. He reinterpreted traditional folk paintings in his representative works, such as Blue-green Landscape Painting series started in the 1970s and his Fool’s Landscape Painting in the 1980s and was inspired by portraits of historical figures. He contributed to the development of Korean modern art by working in an expanded formal territory from figuration to abstraction and addressing subject matter from folk painting, to figure and landscape painting.
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Yoon Hee-soon
Yoon Hee-soon (1902-1947, pen name Beomyi) was born in Seoul and attended Whimoon High School and Gyeongseong Teachers College. He independently studied oil painting while he was working as an elementary school teacher. His works were selected for the sixth Joseon Art Exhibition in 1927. In 1932, he drew newspaper cartoons at Maeil Ilbo and became a member of the Association of Calligraphy and Painting [Seohwa Misulhoe]. As a painter, he tried a realistic painting style for figures and still objects, but none of these works have survived. He was also active as an art critic. His 1932 essay “Current Problems of Joseon Art” criticized artists who pursued Japanese painting style or an interest in local colors and proposed a new path for Joseon Art. He published a book, Studies on Joseon Art (1946), that described the art history of Joseon (Korea) from a realistic critical perspective. He led a radical national art movement after being selected as a president of the Korean Plastic Arts Federation [Joseon johyeong yesul dongmaeng]. He died of tuberculosis in 1947.
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Jeong Hyeonung
Jeong Hyeonung (1911-1976) was born in Seoul. He received his first selection to the Joseon Art Exhibition [Joseon misul jeollamhoe] for his 1927 work Old Castle as a senior high school student at Gyeongseong 2nd Highschool. He submitted his works to the Joseon Art Exhibition eighteen times until 1943 and won a special award twice. He argued that “arts should describe the contemporary era” and an artist “should pursue realistic and experiential subjects.” He also produced a variety of newspaper illustrations and magazine covers for Dong-A Ilbo, Choson Ilbo, Chokwang, Yeoseong (Women) and Sonyon (Boy), after he began to work at the Dong-A Ilbo newspaper company in 1935. After Independence, he served as a secretary-general of the Joseon Art Constructional Committee and as a member of the Korean Art Alliance [Joseon misul dongmaeng]. He later joined the National Guidance League after the inauguration of the South Korean government. He took a job as a secretary-general of the South Korean Art Association during the Korean War and moved to North Korea after the restoration of Seoul in September 28, 1950. After relocating in North Korea, he was appointed as a production manager at the Joseon Material Culture and Relics Conservation Committee, a publishing division commissioner at the Korean Artist Federation [Joseon misulga dongmaeng], and a head of painting division at the Art Studio. He copied murals of Anak Tombs Nos.1-3, the Gangseodaemyo Tomb, and King Gongmin’s Tomb from 1952 to 1963.
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Korean Art Alliance
An organization created in 1946 in North Korea. as the result of a merger between the socialist Korean Artist Federation (Joseon misulga dongmaeng), the politically moderate Korean Plastic Arts Federation (Joseon johyeong yesul dongmaeng), the Joseon Sculpture Association, and former members of the Korean Art Association (Joseon misul hyeophoe). Together, these associations collaborated to host an Independence Cultural Art Exhibition and founded the Korean Art Alliance (Joseon misul dongmaeng). The Alliance actively conducted enlightenment activities under the doctrine of “Art for Public Awareness” and leftist artists were the primary members. The leadership of the Alliance was comprised of Yoon Hee-soon, Lee Insung, Oh Chiho, and Gil Jinseop. The Alliance’s doctrines included the implementation of democracy, departure from the influences of imperialism, establishment of National Art, and the enlightenment of the populace. The Alliance engaged in raising public awareness about modern art through activities such as street exhibitions, touring exhibitions, and the production of posters and leaflets. The Korean Art Alliance (Joseon misul dongmaeng) was an influential faction within the art community of the 1940s, raising public awareness about art and issuing statements on political events before disbanding in 1948.
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Korean Artist Federation
An organization formed in February 1946 under the leadership of Kim Jukyung, Lee Insung, and Oh Chiho, who had recently left the Korean Art Association (Joseon misul hyeophoe). Additionally, numerous members of the Korean Art Alliance (Joseon misul dongmaeng) also joined the organization. The president of the Korean Art Association, Ko Huidong, became a member of the Citizens Emergency Council, a group closely aligned with Rhee Syngman, despite his claims to political neutrality. This drew criticism from the artists of the Korean Artists Association and provided the impetus for the establishment of the Korean Artist Federation (Joseon misulga dongmaeng). The governing body was the Central Executive Committee, which oversaw seven departments: the Painting Department, Art Critique Department, Children’s Art Department, Art Education Department, Performing Arts Department, Sculpture Department, and Crafts Department. The organization followed a five-point doctrine: First, eliminate the remnant influences of the Japanese Empire; second, reject all nationalistic and decadent artistic trends; third, establish a new movement of national art; fourth, form a partnership with the international art community; and fifth, attempt to achieve enlightenment of the general population through art and the education of future artists. The inaugural exhibition was from June 24 to June 31, 1946, at the Hwasin Gallery. In addition to exhibitions, the group also engaged in the production of promotional art, such as posters for the Democratic People’s Front.
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Independent Art Association
A group formed on 26th January 1946. The members of the New Artists Association of colonial-era Joseon (Korea) (Gil Jinseop, Kim Man-hyeong, Yun Jaseon, Son Eungsung, Lee Qoede, Lee Jungseop, Jo Gyubong, Hong Ilpyo, and Choi Jaiduck) dissolved the association and created the Independent Artists Association, which had the stated goal of "working toward the development of arts and international exchange of art and culture." The First exhibition was held in July 1946 at the Dong Hwa Department Store. After Korea achieved independence, the right-wing orientation of the Korean Art Association [Joseon misul hyeophoe] became apparent, and the group sought to revive the New Artists Association, one of the most prominent organizations of the late colonial era, led by Lee Qoede.
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