Eom Jae-kwon: Folk paintings in our midst

Paintings that have always stayed by our side. Folk painting, which began to develop in the Joseon era for decorating living spaces and ceremonial spaces, was made and circulated more widely in the late Joseon period as many commoner admirers emerged. For a time, it was not properly recognized for its art-historical value because it was copied from preparatory drawings by unknown artists. In modern times, however, its value has risen around the world as researchers interpret and study its collective artistry, original composition of subjects, use of color, and many symbolic meanings. There are two broad ways to appreciate folk paintings. One is to examine the images in a painting and consider their meanings, thereby 'interpreting' it; the other is to look at folk painting purely from an artistic perspective, examining its expression and coloring techniques. Arguments over which approach is correct are not very meaningful. What matters more is that folk painting developed alongside 'common people' in Korean art history as an art of the people, and that it was always around us as decorative art. It adorned places and objects throughout our homes and daily lives, from wardrobes, pillowcases, and blankets to commonly used fans and thimbles. Folk painting may have seeped into the deepest parts of our lives because the messages of hope in these works resonate so deeply in our hearts. Artist Um Jae-gwon has spent more than 40 years working to make folk painting widely known, and now a book has been published containing more than 80 generous examples of paintings he rendered himself with a modern brush.

Korean title: 우리 곁의 민화

Korean author: 엄재권

Korean publisher: 아트북스

ISBN-13: 9788961964449