Uni-Korea Art Exhibition - in Berlin
From Baekdu to Halla

Contemporary painting from North and South Korea
October 2nd - November 15th, 2015

Until November 15th, Berliners and visitors to the city have the extremely rare occasion to see impressive paintings by North and South Korean artists shown in a joint exhibition.
Under the title "Uni-Korea Art Exhibition" the South Korea based organization "NANUM The World Peace Cultural Festival" initiated a series of exhibitions with venues in Seoul (South Korea), Shenyang (China), Berlin, New York and Pyongyang (North Korea).
After successful exhibitions in Seoul and Shenyang, the Uni-Korea Art Exhibition at "art place berlin" would like to take the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the German reunification to set an example for overcoming even the division of Korea.

Despite the extremely different development in the two parts of Korea during the past seven decades many common values have been preserved and the desire for the reunification of the country lives on. In particular the artists prove again not only to be trailblazers of the new, but also keepers of tradition.


left: HONG, Chon Son / Chorus of Swans, 2013, right: KIM, Il Hae / First Snow, 2010

The subtitle of the exhibition 'From Baekdu to Halla' makes clear that the exhibition aims to represent whole Korea, from Mt. Baekdu on the border with China in the North to Mt. Halla on Jeju Island in the South. They are "holy" places, which are anchored in the hearts of all Koreans. Although the Mt. Baekdu in North Korea is also used as a central object for propaganda and myth-making it is still revered by all Koreans as place of the origin of their ancestors. Korea's first kingdom was founded there in 2333 BC.

left: SON, U Young / Peak of Mt. Kumgang, 2006, right: CHOI, Ye-Tae / Impression on Green, 2013

The exhibition, curated by Sang Kyun CHOI and Thomas Tyllack, shows about fifty, partly large-format paintings of renowned artists from North and South Korea. They are representatives of different generations, ranging from the year of birth 1922 to 1987.

As exemplary for the aim of the exhibition, which is to sustainably express the connectedness of both parts of Korea trough impressive works by their artists, the "Haenyeo or Female Divers" painting by North Korean artist Myong Su CHOE can be regarded. With his oil painting from 2012 he devoted himself in a subtle way to a subject, which is of great traditional significance in the north and especially in the south on the island of Jeju.

CHOE, Myong Su / Female Divers, 2012, Oil on Canvas, 162 x 348cm

The Korean word Haenyeo means sea women. This is how the Korean divers are called, who harvest seafood and can dive up to 4 minutes and 20 meters deep thanks to their trained lung volume. On Jeju the Haenyeo acquired economic influence and freedoms at an early stage that were denied to women on the mainland, which eventually led to the formation of matriarchal structures.

Due to the masterful representation of the subject, Myong Su CHOE's painting is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the exhibition, especially considering that the size of 1.62 x 3,48m appears very imposing.

Just as remarkable are the smallest paintings of the exhibition - left: "Foggy Pond", 48 x 66cm, by Choe, Je Nam / *1934 and right: "Autumn Sentiment" by Jong, Chang Mo / *1931.

Also contemporary art from South Korea is prominently represented in the exhibition too among others by Hae Il Kim and Hyun Kook SHIN, whose works "First Snow" and "Echo of Mountain" have a very special meaning for the implementation of the exhibition idea. They contribute to the fact that the visitors of the exhibition will be surprised by an unexpected harmony. Today, when communication between the artists from the North and the South unfortunately is still hardly possible, the exhibition at least shows their works side by side in a corresponding hanging. It becomes clear how strong the common roots still are. - TT - apb

left: KIM, Soo Jung / Birch Forest, right: CHOE, Chang Ho / Birch Forrest, 2007

art place berlin  -  forum for contemporary art  -  international gallery - public exhibition space