Shin Yun-bok brings crowds to Gansong
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Early into the second day of Gansong Art Museum's long-awaited fall exhibition, visitors continue to crowd the first and second floors of the building.
Eager to catch a glimpse of the works of some of the Joseon Dynasty's finest artists, viewers wait patiently in line, peering into the wavering glass cases.
Just four months ago on the second day of Gansong's spring exhibition -- which showcased a series of works by famed painter Jang Seung-up and his contemporaries -- the museum was comparatively empty.
No long lines, no need to crane one's neck to get a look at the paintings, Gansong was a temple of peace and beauty. This time, however, is an entirely different story.
A representative of the museum attributes the overwhelming turnout to the popularity of late Joseon Dynasty artist Shin Yun-bok, whose art is currently on display.
"I feel that this year, because Shin Yun-bok is already a prominent artist, I think that it had an influence on the number of visitors who came", said Gansong's representative.
This seems to be the year of Shin: He is the subject of the currently-airing SBS drama "Painter of the Wind", a movie about him is slated to hit the big screen in November and his art is the center of attention at Gansong.
"Our bestselling art poster is Hyewon's 'Miindo'," said the representative, referring to Shin by his pen name, as well as to one of his masterpieces, "Miindo (Portrait of a Beautiful Woman)". According to the representative, the museum did not plan their exhibition around Shin Yun-bok or draw inspiration from the novel-turned-drama "The Painter of Wind". Nor is the decision to showcase the art of genre painters Shin Yun-bok (b. 1758) and Kim Hong-do (1745-1806) -- who appear as lovers in "The Painter of the Wind" -- in neighboring cases, in any way influenced by the drama.
In fact both Shin and Kim form a fraction of an exhibition brimming with paintings and writings that span the Joseon Dynasty.
Titled, "The 70th Anniversary of Bohwagak", this exhibit celebrates the rich history of Gansong, formerly called Bohwagak, by taking stock of the research that has been conducted over the years and using it to select key works from the Joseon Dynasty.
Though the exhibition as a whole astounds with its impressive collection of calligraphic works and elegant paintings, one cannot help but be drawn to both Shin and Kim's art.
Shin's "Miindo (Portrait of a Beautiful Woman)", in particular, captivates. This portrait of a woman -- presumably a gisaeng (Korean geisha) -- artfully captures the nuances of the female heart.
Expressing a certain poignancy, the painting lacks the usual sly coquetry that one attributes to gisaeng. The subject's gaze channels a flitting sadness, contained within the butterfly arch of her delicate brows. Her willowy hands also clasp the decorative beads on her vest in a pensive manner.
Staring at her, one feels no veneer of pretense, instead gaining a powerfully intimate experience.
Fellow genre painter Kim's work, which hangs next to Shin's, serves as a stark contrast.
Titled "Listening to a Chinese oriole from atop a horse", Kim's work leaves the upper half of the canvas empty, subscribing to the traditional use of "void" in pre-modern Korean painting.
His strokes seem hurried and blurred, soft and without boundaries, as he captures a young scholar on a late spring day. Kim's work evokes the season's heady charms through his subjects.
Unable to withstand the sweet seduction of this season of love, the young scholar mounts a horse and goes in search of inspiration, finding it in a singing oriole atop a willow tree.
Through these two works, one can understand why both Kim Hong-do, known as Danwon, and Shin Yun-bok a.k.a. Hyewon, were called two of the "Three Wons" of the Joseon Dynasty.
"I feel that I should come here more often", said enchanted visitor Shin Hye-young, 40, after viewing the exhibition.
"Once or twice a year, one can experience the fragrance of culture".
Famed for its dedication to the preservation of national-treasure level artifacts, documents and paintings, Gansong opens its doors to the public twice a year.
Its exclusive exhibitions run for less than a month, affording visitors a glimpse of the foundation's treasures.
Established in 1938 by Jeon Hyeong-pil, Gansong dedicated itself to preventing the removal of Korean cultural properties by the Japanese during the colonial period. As a result, the museum is now home to more than 20 national treasures.
"The 70th Anniversary of Bohwagak" runs through Oct. 26 at the Gansong Art Museum. To get to the museum take the subway to Hansung University Subway Station, Line 4. The museum is a five-minute taxi Ride Away. Opening hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call (02) 762-0442.
By Jean Oh
_____________________________
Shin Yun-bok`s masterpiece "Miindo (Portrait of a Beautiful Woman)" Gansong Art Museum
Eager to catch a glimpse of the works of some of the Joseon Dynasty's finest artists, viewers wait patiently in line, peering into the wavering glass cases.
Just four months ago on the second day of Gansong's spring exhibition -- which showcased a series of works by famed painter Jang Seung-up and his contemporaries -- the museum was comparatively empty.
No long lines, no need to crane one's neck to get a look at the paintings, Gansong was a temple of peace and beauty. This time, however, is an entirely different story.
A representative of the museum attributes the overwhelming turnout to the popularity of late Joseon Dynasty artist Shin Yun-bok, whose art is currently on display.
"I feel that this year, because Shin Yun-bok is already a prominent artist, I think that it had an influence on the number of visitors who came", said Gansong's representative.
This seems to be the year of Shin: He is the subject of the currently-airing SBS drama "Painter of the Wind", a movie about him is slated to hit the big screen in November and his art is the center of attention at Gansong.
"Our bestselling art poster is Hyewon's 'Miindo'," said the representative, referring to Shin by his pen name, as well as to one of his masterpieces, "Miindo (Portrait of a Beautiful Woman)". According to the representative, the museum did not plan their exhibition around Shin Yun-bok or draw inspiration from the novel-turned-drama "The Painter of Wind". Nor is the decision to showcase the art of genre painters Shin Yun-bok (b. 1758) and Kim Hong-do (1745-1806) -- who appear as lovers in "The Painter of the Wind" -- in neighboring cases, in any way influenced by the drama.
In fact both Shin and Kim form a fraction of an exhibition brimming with paintings and writings that span the Joseon Dynasty.
Titled, "The 70th Anniversary of Bohwagak", this exhibit celebrates the rich history of Gansong, formerly called Bohwagak, by taking stock of the research that has been conducted over the years and using it to select key works from the Joseon Dynasty.
Though the exhibition as a whole astounds with its impressive collection of calligraphic works and elegant paintings, one cannot help but be drawn to both Shin and Kim's art.
Shin's "Miindo (Portrait of a Beautiful Woman)", in particular, captivates. This portrait of a woman -- presumably a gisaeng (Korean geisha) -- artfully captures the nuances of the female heart.
Expressing a certain poignancy, the painting lacks the usual sly coquetry that one attributes to gisaeng. The subject's gaze channels a flitting sadness, contained within the butterfly arch of her delicate brows. Her willowy hands also clasp the decorative beads on her vest in a pensive manner.
Staring at her, one feels no veneer of pretense, instead gaining a powerfully intimate experience.
Fellow genre painter Kim's work, which hangs next to Shin's, serves as a stark contrast.
Titled "Listening to a Chinese oriole from atop a horse", Kim's work leaves the upper half of the canvas empty, subscribing to the traditional use of "void" in pre-modern Korean painting.
His strokes seem hurried and blurred, soft and without boundaries, as he captures a young scholar on a late spring day. Kim's work evokes the season's heady charms through his subjects.
Unable to withstand the sweet seduction of this season of love, the young scholar mounts a horse and goes in search of inspiration, finding it in a singing oriole atop a willow tree.
Through these two works, one can understand why both Kim Hong-do, known as Danwon, and Shin Yun-bok a.k.a. Hyewon, were called two of the "Three Wons" of the Joseon Dynasty.
"I feel that I should come here more often", said enchanted visitor Shin Hye-young, 40, after viewing the exhibition.
"Once or twice a year, one can experience the fragrance of culture".
Famed for its dedication to the preservation of national-treasure level artifacts, documents and paintings, Gansong opens its doors to the public twice a year.
Its exclusive exhibitions run for less than a month, affording visitors a glimpse of the foundation's treasures.
Established in 1938 by Jeon Hyeong-pil, Gansong dedicated itself to preventing the removal of Korean cultural properties by the Japanese during the colonial period. As a result, the museum is now home to more than 20 national treasures.
"The 70th Anniversary of Bohwagak" runs through Oct. 26 at the Gansong Art Museum. To get to the museum take the subway to Hansung University Subway Station, Line 4. The museum is a five-minute taxi Ride Away. Opening hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information call (02) 762-0442.
By Jean Oh
_____________________________
Shin Yun-bok`s masterpiece "Miindo (Portrait of a Beautiful Woman)" Gansong Art Museum
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