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Category Archives: DPRK: Artists Art & Culture

Embroidery, celadon and a Juche paradise opposite the Institute of Directors

26-Aug-07
The exhibition at La Galleria is entering its last two weeks. A number of the artworks that were in the gallery last time I visited are no longer there, having found good homes ((perhaps as a result of some of the prices having been dropped)), and the opportunity has been taken to move some of the pictures around to give more prominents positions to some artists previously hidden away. But still dominating the main exhibition space is a huge composition in watercolour, painted by a team of artists led by Cha Yong Ho. 4.1 metres wide, it depicts a battle scene at the Nakdong River near the Busan perimeter during the Korean War, when the Northern forces had pushed southwards ...
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Growing interest in DPRK art show

05-Aug-07
The North Korean art exhibition in Pall Mall is gathering momentum. A small-scale re-hang has seen more propaganda posters in the window facing the Institute of Directors (above), which encourages passing traffic. The jewel painting is now hung so that pedestrians in the Royal Opera Arcade get greeted by it. The big painting of the Sculpture Workers by Kim Song-min - which was looking more than a little crumpled where it hung in the arcade window -- has been taken away for framing. Apparently all it takes is a little bit of water sprayed on to the back and the creases fall out... Press interest has been growing. Japanese TV crews have been round, asking why anti-Japanese propaganda is being displayed, ...
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A North Korean coup, years in the planning

30-Jul-07

A North Korean coup, years in the planning

Prologue The North Korean flag stirred gently in the breeze in Pall Mall, the heart of London's clubland, a few hundred yards from Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square. An elderly gentleman pottered up the steps to the Athenaeum. The blue and red flag caught his eye, but its significance did not register. A young woman in People's Army uniform gave a triumphant salute opposite the darkened windows of that bastion of capitalism, the Institute of Directors. Inside, the industrialists shuffled their newspapers, ignorant of what was about to happen. The DPRK's ambassador to the UK savoured the moment. Standing in front of portraits of the Great Leader and the Dear Leader he prepared to give his speech. No-one knew what was going though ...
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Artists, Art and Culture of D. P. R. Korea

21-Jul-07
By Susan Pares For what is said to be the first time, the arts of North Korea hit the London gallery scene. North Korean contemporary art can be viewed periodically at the Korea Gallery of the British Museum, but this exhibition offers the chance for larger exposure to media and themes that are typical of North Korean art. 'Korean painting', i.e. brush and colour wash, oils, water colours, embroidery and even ballpoint work are used to present a range of subjects from the heroic to the intimate, passing by several beautiful landscapes and a couple of striking animal studies out of Africa. Ceramic vases and posters extend the experience. The work is by leading artists of the DPRK. ...
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Coming soon: Artists, art and culture of North Korea

02-Jul-07
In what has got to be a contender for the Korean cultural event of the year, if only for rarity value, a varied collection of artworks has arrived from North Korea's Mansudae studio for the exhibition later this month, Artists, Art and Culture of North Korea. Some of North Korea's most famous art works will be on show, anx, unusually, you will have the opportunity to buy some of the items. The DPRK's propaganda posters are popular and affordable purchases, each one hand-painted, copied from the original - readily available on the internet, but this will be a chance to see them in the flesh before you get out your plastic. This event is likely to attract considerable attention nationally and internationally ...
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Wide range of North Korean art on show this summer

04-Jun-07
David Heather, who is organising the exhibition of North Korean Art at La Galleria in Pall Mall this summer, has just emailed me images of some of the work which is being sent from the Mansudae studio in Pyongyang for the London exhibition. So here's a flavour of what is to come: I have a correspondent who knows people at the Mansudae Studio, and he had heard independently that there's a fine collection of work coming over to London this summer. So, plenty to look forward to, and I'll update this site as and when I hear more details about any associated events. And if there are any potential sponsors out there, do contact David by email: david DOT heather AT careandhealth ...
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More news on DPRK London art exhibition

15-Apr-07
I've just received further information on the artists whose work will be on display in London this summer. It's the top artists in the DPRK, and there should be something for everyone. The artists are: Jong Chang Mo (정창모) (People's Artist, Kim Il Song Prize) - Korean Painting Son U Yong (선우영) (People's Artist, Kim Il Song Prize) - Korean Painting U Chi Son (우치선) (People's Artist, Kim Il Song Prize) - ceramic ware Im Sa Jun (임사준) (People's Artist, Kim Il Song Prize) - ceramic ware Hwang In Je (황인제) (Merit Artist) -- woodcut Pak Hyo Song (박효성) (Merit Artist) -- oil painting Jong Chang Mo and Son U Yong were featured in Koen De Ceuster's talk at SOAS in December last year - leading lights in ...
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DPRK art exhibition coming to London

06-Apr-07
With commendable forward publicity for a Korean cultural event, I hear of an exciting DPRK art exhibition coming to London in July and August this year. From 18 July to 31 August at a gallery space just off Trafalgar Square, it's early days yet to have full details. But we know that DPRK artist Pak Hyo-Song (박효성) will be present in person, and works primarily from the Mansudae art studio on display. There will be a wide range of work on show, from the propaganda work for which DPRK art is possibly best known, through other painting genres via ceramics to wood-cuts. There's hope that there will be some other DPRK-related cultural activity connected with the exhibition (there is, for ...
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