🗾East Asian Art and Architecture Unit 22 – Western Art in Colonial Korea

Historical Context

• Korea was annexed by Japan in 1910 which led to a period of colonial rule lasting until 1945
• Japanese colonial policies aimed to suppress Korean culture and assimilate Koreans into Japanese society
• Western art and culture were introduced to Korea through Japan during this period
• Some Korean artists studied in Japan or Europe and brought back new artistic ideas and techniques
• The colonial period saw a complex interplay between traditional Korean art, Japanese influences, and Western styles
• Korean artists grappled with issues of cultural identity and nationalism under colonial rule
  • Some artists sought to preserve and promote Korean cultural heritage
  • Others embraced Western and Japanese influences as a means of modernization

Key Artists and Movements

• Kim Kyu-jin (1868-1933) was a pioneer of Western-style painting in Korea
  • He studied in Japan and incorporated elements of impressionism and post-impressionism into his work
• Ko Hui-dong (1886-1965) was known for his landscapes and portraits that blended Western and Korean styles
• The "Eastern Art Society" was founded in 1918 to promote Western art in Korea
• The "Korean Art Exhibition" was an annual event that showcased both traditional and Western-style works
• Chae Yong-shin (1850-1941) was a leading figure in the "Southern School" of Korean painting
  • He incorporated Western techniques such as perspective and shading into traditional ink paintings
• The "New Art Movement" of the 1930s advocated for a distinctly Korean form of modern art
  • Artists such as Kim Whan-ki (1913-1974) and Yoo Young-kuk (1916-2002) were associated with this movement

Artistic Techniques and Styles

• Western techniques such as oil painting, watercolor, and printmaking were introduced to Korea
• Korean artists experimented with combining Western techniques with traditional Korean materials and styles
• Impressionism and post-impressionism were influential styles among Korean artists who studied abroad
• Some artists adapted Western techniques to depict Korean subjects and landscapes
  • For example, using oil paints to render traditional Korean clothing (hanbok) or architecture
• Realism and naturalism were also popular styles, particularly in portraiture and still life paintings
• Abstract and surrealist elements began to appear in Korean art in the 1930s and 1940s
• Traditional Korean ink painting (sumukhwa) and calligraphy remained important artistic practices

Themes and Symbolism

• Themes of cultural identity and nationalism were prevalent in colonial-era Korean art
  • Artists used traditional Korean motifs and symbols to assert cultural pride and resistance
• Landscapes were a popular subject, often used to evoke a sense of national identity and nostalgia
  • For example, paintings of iconic Korean mountains (Kumgangsan) or rivers (Han River)
• Portraits and genre scenes depicted the everyday lives and struggles of Korean people under colonial rule
• Some artists used art as a means of social and political commentary
  • For example, satirical cartoons critiquing Japanese colonial policies or corruption
• Buddhist and Confucian themes continued to be explored in traditional ink paintings
• Modern urban life and industrialization also emerged as themes, reflecting the rapid changes in Korean society

Cultural Fusion and Conflict

• The colonial period saw a complex interplay between Korean, Japanese, and Western cultural influences
• Some Korean artists embraced Western and Japanese styles as a means of modernization and innovation
  • For example, incorporating Western perspective or Japanese nihonga techniques into their work
• Others sought to preserve and promote traditional Korean art forms as a form of cultural resistance
  • For example, continuing to practice ink painting or pottery in the face of Japanese suppression
• The Japanese colonial government promoted Western art as part of its "cultural policy" (bunka seisaku)
  • This included establishing art schools and exhibitions that favored Western-style works
• Korean artists navigated a complex cultural landscape, balancing their own artistic visions with colonial pressures
• The fusion of Western, Japanese, and Korean elements in art reflected the broader cultural tensions of the era

Notable Works and Collections

• Kim Kyu-jin's "Portrait of a Beauty" (1916) is an early example of Western-style oil painting in Korea
• Ko Hui-dong's "Mt. Kumgang" (1931) depicts the iconic mountain using a blend of Western and Korean techniques
• Park Soo-keun's "Washing Place" (1953) is a well-known example of post-colonial Korean art
  • It depicts a rural scene using a simplified, modernist style
• The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul houses a significant collection of colonial-era works
• The Leeum, Samsung Museum of Art also has a notable collection of modern Korean art
  • Including works by Kim Whan-ki and Yoo Young-kuk
• Many important works from this period are held in private collections or have been lost or destroyed over time
  • Due to the upheavals of Japanese colonialism, the Korean War, and rapid modernization

Impact on Korean Art Scene

• The introduction of Western art and techniques had a profound impact on the development of modern Korean art
• Art schools and exhibitions established during the colonial period helped to foster a new generation of Korean artists
  • For example, the Joseon Art Exhibition (Joseon misul jeonlamhoe) was held annually from 1922 to 1944
• The colonial experience also shaped the themes and concerns of Korean artists
  • Issues of cultural identity, nationalism, and modernization became central to artistic discourse
• The fusion of Western, Japanese, and Korean elements in art laid the foundation for the eclectic nature of contemporary Korean art
• However, the colonial legacy also left a complex and sometimes painful mark on the Korean art world
  • Some artists and critics have grappled with questions of collaboration, resistance, and cultural authenticity

Legacy and Contemporary Influence

• The colonial period left a lasting impact on the development of modern and contemporary art in Korea
• Many of the artistic techniques, styles, and themes introduced during this time continue to be explored by Korean artists today
  • For example, the use of Western media such as oil painting or the incorporation of abstract elements
• The works of colonial-era artists have been re-evaluated and celebrated in recent years
  • Exhibitions and scholarship have sought to shed new light on this complex period in Korean art history
• Contemporary Korean artists often engage with the colonial legacy in their works
  • For example, exploring themes of cultural identity, historical trauma, or the relationship between tradition and modernity
• The global success of contemporary Korean art and culture (hallyu) can be traced back to the cultural exchanges and transformations of the colonial period
• However, the colonial legacy remains a sensitive and contested issue in Korean society and art world
  • Debates continue over questions of cultural authenticity, collaboration, and the role of art in shaping national identity