Son Dong Hyun, 웅크린 용 (Crouching Dragon), 2024, ink on paper, ink rubbing, vermilion ink, ink, crayon, 109 × 194 cm
The Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art (GMOMA) is hosting the special exhibition Minhwa and K-Pop Art: Worlds Beyond Extraordinary from November 15, 2024, to February 23, 2025. This ambitious showcase brings together traditional Korean minhwa (folk painting) and contemporary art to explore their intersections and the emergence of "K-Pop Art." Featuring 129 works across various media, the exhibition includes contributions from 19 contemporary artists alongside 27 historical minhwa paintings by anonymous creators.
The exhibition seeks to illuminate the connections between traditional minhwa and contemporary pop art, using the themes and motifs of minhwa to delve into the possibilities of K-Pop Art as a global cultural expression. By juxtaposing the past with the present, the exhibition questions the boundaries of Korean art, its evolution, and its potential in the global art scene.
Divided into three thematic sections—“Dream Land,” “Life and Laughter,” and “Worlds Beyond”—the exhibition invites audiences to engage with minhwa as both a historical and living art form. Traditional works such as Hwajodo (Flower and Bird Paintings) and Baeksubaekbokdo (Paintings of Longevity and Blessings) depict aspirations for happiness, health, and prosperity. These motifs are reinterpreted in contemporary artworks, reflecting today’s desires and ideals in a mixed landscape of traditional and modern elements.
Park Kyung Jong, 만수만복 (Endless Longevity and Prosperity), 2022
The “Dream Land” section examines the symbolic elements in minhwa that represent an idealized world of happiness and prosperity. Traditional imagery such as abundant fruits, vibrant flowers, and mythical creatures convey hopes for fertility, longevity, and protection from misfortune. These aspirations resonate with contemporary art’s exploration of societal values, showing how modern artists reflect on what society deems sacred or desirable.
The “Life and Laughter” section delves into the humor and wit of minhwa. Paintings like Hojaekdo (Tiger and Magpie) use playful depictions of animals to critique social hierarchies and authority. Contemporary works in this section mirror these themes by challenging societal norms and using satire to subvert conventional notions of beauty, authority, and tradition.
“Worlds Beyond” takes visitors into the transcendent realms imagined in minhwa. Paintings such as Shinwado (Gods and Spirits Paintings) and Simwudo (Ox-Herding Paintings) reflect spiritual beliefs and mythical narratives that transcend the material world. These themes are echoed in modern art’s use of religious and mythical symbols to explore existential questions and cultural identity.
The exhibition also poses critical questions: How can minhwa be interpreted through the lens of contemporary art? What is the role of pop art in Korean modern art? And how does K-Pop Art emerge at the intersection of minhwa and pop art? These inquiries provide a framework for understanding the evolution of Korean art and its place in the global cultural landscape.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art
Visitors will encounter vibrant media, including painting, sculpture, video art, and installations. Works by contemporary artists such as Kwon Yong Ju, Kim Sang Don, and Son Dong Hyun reinterpret minhwa’s symbolic and aesthetic elements, connecting them to modern societal issues. These efforts demonstrate how minhwa’s playful and satirical spirit aligns with the critical perspectives of contemporary pop art.
The exhibition concludes by exploring the concept of “K-Pop Art.” Unlike its Western counterpart, K-Pop Art reflects Korea’s unique cultural identity, drawing on minhwa’s themes of satire, humor, and everyday life while incorporating elements of global pop culture. This synthesis creates a distinct art form that bridges tradition and modernity, offering a fresh perspective on Korea’s cultural evolution.
Minhwa and K-Pop Art: Worlds Beyond Extraordinary is more than an art exhibition—it is an exploration of Korea’s artistic heritage and its contemporary relevance. Through its dynamic presentations, the exhibition challenges audiences to reconsider the relationships between history, culture, and art, revealing a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
Son Dong Hyun, 웅크린 용 (Crouching Dragon), 2024, ink on paper, ink rubbing, vermilion ink, ink, crayon, 109 × 194 cm
The Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art (GMOMA) is hosting the special exhibition Minhwa and K-Pop Art: Worlds Beyond Extraordinary from November 15, 2024, to February 23, 2025. This ambitious showcase brings together traditional Korean minhwa (folk painting) and contemporary art to explore their intersections and the emergence of "K-Pop Art." Featuring 129 works across various media, the exhibition includes contributions from 19 contemporary artists alongside 27 historical minhwa paintings by anonymous creators.
The exhibition seeks to illuminate the connections between traditional minhwa and contemporary pop art, using the themes and motifs of minhwa to delve into the possibilities of K-Pop Art as a global cultural expression. By juxtaposing the past with the present, the exhibition questions the boundaries of Korean art, its evolution, and its potential in the global art scene.
Divided into three thematic sections—“Dream Land,” “Life and Laughter,” and “Worlds Beyond”—the exhibition invites audiences to engage with minhwa as both a historical and living art form. Traditional works such as Hwajodo (Flower and Bird Paintings) and Baeksubaekbokdo (Paintings of Longevity and Blessings) depict aspirations for happiness, health, and prosperity. These motifs are reinterpreted in contemporary artworks, reflecting today’s desires and ideals in a mixed landscape of traditional and modern elements.
Park Kyung Jong, 만수만복 (Endless Longevity and Prosperity), 2022
The “Dream Land” section examines the symbolic elements in minhwa that represent an idealized world of happiness and prosperity. Traditional imagery such as abundant fruits, vibrant flowers, and mythical creatures convey hopes for fertility, longevity, and protection from misfortune. These aspirations resonate with contemporary art’s exploration of societal values, showing how modern artists reflect on what society deems sacred or desirable.
The “Life and Laughter” section delves into the humor and wit of minhwa. Paintings like Hojaekdo (Tiger and Magpie) use playful depictions of animals to critique social hierarchies and authority. Contemporary works in this section mirror these themes by challenging societal norms and using satire to subvert conventional notions of beauty, authority, and tradition.
“Worlds Beyond” takes visitors into the transcendent realms imagined in minhwa. Paintings such as Shinwado (Gods and Spirits Paintings) and Simwudo (Ox-Herding Paintings) reflect spiritual beliefs and mythical narratives that transcend the material world. These themes are echoed in modern art’s use of religious and mythical symbols to explore existential questions and cultural identity.
The exhibition also poses critical questions: How can minhwa be interpreted through the lens of contemporary art? What is the role of pop art in Korean modern art? And how does K-Pop Art emerge at the intersection of minhwa and pop art? These inquiries provide a framework for understanding the evolution of Korean art and its place in the global cultural landscape.
The poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art
Visitors will encounter vibrant media, including painting, sculpture, video art, and installations. Works by contemporary artists such as Kwon Yong Ju, Kim Sang Don, and Son Dong Hyun reinterpret minhwa’s symbolic and aesthetic elements, connecting them to modern societal issues. These efforts demonstrate how minhwa’s playful and satirical spirit aligns with the critical perspectives of contemporary pop art.
The exhibition concludes by exploring the concept of “K-Pop Art.” Unlike its Western counterpart, K-Pop Art reflects Korea’s unique cultural identity, drawing on minhwa’s themes of satire, humor, and everyday life while incorporating elements of global pop culture. This synthesis creates a distinct art form that bridges tradition and modernity, offering a fresh perspective on Korea’s cultural evolution.
Minhwa and K-Pop Art: Worlds Beyond Extraordinary is more than an art exhibition—it is an exploration of Korea’s artistic heritage and its contemporary relevance. Through its dynamic presentations, the exhibition challenges audiences to reconsider the relationships between history, culture, and art, revealing a world where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.
