National Art Exhibition
A government-hosted exhibition held 30 times from 1949 to 1981, also known by the shorter name Gukjeon. Following national independence, the exhibition was the primary means for young and emergent Korean artists to achieve recognition. The influence of the exhibition declined as a result of the emergence of non-figurative art during the 1970s, the increased opportunities for artists to participate in overseas exhibitions, and the rise of private exhibitions and galleries.
Chosun University
A private university located in Seoseok-dong, Dong-gu in Gwangju, Chosun University was founded in 1946 as Gwangju Night University to train local talents who could contribute to the establishment of a nation-state. From the early years of its founding, an art department was installed in the College of Arts and Literature to start art education, and in 1948 the institution was renamed Chosun University. In 1953, the art department came to be affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and in the following year the art department was divided into the Department of Fine arts and the Department of Music. Later, new departments were installed not only covering fine arts but also industrial arts, thus encompassing painting, sculpture, applied arts, and industrial design. In 2000, the animation department was established, and in 2010, the Department of Design Engineering was installed. Since the early years of contemporary art after Korea’s liberation from Japan, Chosun University has served as an educational institute that contributed to the development of art culture in the Jeollanam-do provincial region.