The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the artist's official instagram (@chunkyungja_official)
The legacy of Chun Kyung Ja, one of Korea’s most celebrated painters, is being honored with a commemorative exhibition in her hometown of Goheung. Under the title “A Shining Legend: Chun Kyung Ja,” this special exhibition opened on November 11 at the Goheung Buncheong Culture Museum and Goheung Art Center, marking the centennial of her birth. Curated by her daughter Sumita Kim, this exhibition is a tribute to Chun’s iconic art and complex legacy, showcasing 58 of her lesser-seen paintings, alongside an extensive archive of her life and work.
Sumita Kim, who currently serves as a professor at Montgomery College in the United States, undertook the role of the exhibition’s artistic director. Despite logistical and financial challenges, she was driven by a deep filial devotion to curate a fitting tribute to her mother’s storied career. “This is the only solo exhibition celebrating my mother’s centennial,” Kim noted, expressing regret that Chun’s legacy has faded somewhat in Korea’s modern art scene.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the artist's official instagram (@chunkyungja_official)
This exhibition holds special significance, as Chun’s legacy in Goheung has been a complex one. Attempts to establish a Chun Kyung Ja Art Museum in 2010 fell through due to disagreements among family members. Now, through her daughter’s dedicated efforts, Goheung is hosting a meaningful display of Chun’s works and memorabilia. The exhibits feature rare pieces, including the 1950s painting “Island Impression,” a newly uncovered work that showcases Chun’s distinct use of color and the boldness that led critics to call her a “colorist” during her career. This painting is now on public display for the first time, offering visitors a glimpse into Chun’s early explorations of color and form.
The process of gathering Chun’s work for this exhibition was filled with challenges. Seoul Museum of Art, which houses the Chun Kyung Ja Permanent Collection, did not lend any pieces, compelling Sumita Kim to reach out to private collectors and cultural foundations. This limitation, however, turned into an opportunity to feature works less familiar to the public. The result is an exhibition rich in hidden gems, providing insight into Chun’s creative journey.
Chun Kyung-Ja (South Korean 1924-2015), Wailing in the Dusk(Unfinished), Oriental painting pigment on mulberry paper, 94.5x128.5cm, 1995, Courtesy of the artist's official instagram (@chunkyungja_official)
Among the exhibited works are iconic paintings such as “Twilight with Tango” and “Man with Fish.” These pieces, along with previously unreleased letters and photographs, offer an intimate look at Chun’s life, blending artistic grandeur with personal introspection. Each piece reveals her nuanced understanding of color, a hallmark that earned her titles such as “Painter of the Soul” and “Magician of Color.”
The exhibition also marks a turning point for Goheung County, which has taken steps to honor Chun’s legacy by designating a section of her hometown as “Chun Kyung Ja Art Road.” With this exhibition, there is hope that a permanent Chun Kyung Ja memorial center may eventually come to fruition. Kim expressed her appreciation for Goheung County’s dedication to preserving her mother’s legacy, emphasizing the importance of the exhibition as a stepping stone toward establishing a lasting tribute in her hometown.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the artist's official instagram (@chunkyungja_official)
Chun Kyung Ja was born in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, in 1924 and became known nationally in 1955 after winning the prestigious President’s Award for her painting “Essence.” She captivated audiences with her emotive self-portraits and vibrant landscapes, embodying a distinct Korean aesthetic in her richly-hued paintings. Chun’s works resonated with audiences for their raw emotional power, reflective of her deeply personal life journey.
The exhibition is more than just a display of art; it is a heartfelt tribute by a daughter who has poured her soul into honoring her mother’s life and work. “I believe my mother would be proud,” Kim reflected, noting that her mother often found solace in her art. Chun’s piece “Twilight with Tango,” prominently featured in the exhibit, is emblematic of her mother’s reflective yet passionate nature. This iconic painting, last sold at auction in 2019, remains a testament to Chun’s unique artistic voice.
The Poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of the artist's official instagram (@chunkyungja_official)
Sumita Kim hopes this exhibition will serve as the starting point for a more permanent dedication to Chun’s life and work in Goheung. "Chun Kyung Ja's legacy is one of courage, authenticity, and an unparalleled contribution to Korean art. This exhibition is the beginning of Goheung’s long-term commitment to honor her," Kim said, expressing her aspirations for further projects such as restoring Chun’s birthplace and establishing a Chun Kyung Ja Memorial Center. The exhibit runs through December 31, allowing art lovers and Chun’s admirers alike to experience the life and legacy of a pioneering Korean artist.
Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the artist's official instagram (@chunkyungja_official)
The legacy of Chun Kyung Ja, one of Korea’s most celebrated painters, is being honored with a commemorative exhibition in her hometown of Goheung. Under the title “A Shining Legend: Chun Kyung Ja,” this special exhibition opened on November 11 at the Goheung Buncheong Culture Museum and Goheung Art Center, marking the centennial of her birth. Curated by her daughter Sumita Kim, this exhibition is a tribute to Chun’s iconic art and complex legacy, showcasing 58 of her lesser-seen paintings, alongside an extensive archive of her life and work.
Sumita Kim, who currently serves as a professor at Montgomery College in the United States, undertook the role of the exhibition’s artistic director. Despite logistical and financial challenges, she was driven by a deep filial devotion to curate a fitting tribute to her mother’s storied career. “This is the only solo exhibition celebrating my mother’s centennial,” Kim noted, expressing regret that Chun’s legacy has faded somewhat in Korea’s modern art scene.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the artist's official instagram (@chunkyungja_official)
This exhibition holds special significance, as Chun’s legacy in Goheung has been a complex one. Attempts to establish a Chun Kyung Ja Art Museum in 2010 fell through due to disagreements among family members. Now, through her daughter’s dedicated efforts, Goheung is hosting a meaningful display of Chun’s works and memorabilia. The exhibits feature rare pieces, including the 1950s painting “Island Impression,” a newly uncovered work that showcases Chun’s distinct use of color and the boldness that led critics to call her a “colorist” during her career. This painting is now on public display for the first time, offering visitors a glimpse into Chun’s early explorations of color and form.
The process of gathering Chun’s work for this exhibition was filled with challenges. Seoul Museum of Art, which houses the Chun Kyung Ja Permanent Collection, did not lend any pieces, compelling Sumita Kim to reach out to private collectors and cultural foundations. This limitation, however, turned into an opportunity to feature works less familiar to the public. The result is an exhibition rich in hidden gems, providing insight into Chun’s creative journey.
Chun Kyung-Ja (South Korean 1924-2015), Wailing in the Dusk(Unfinished), Oriental painting pigment on mulberry paper, 94.5x128.5cm, 1995, Courtesy of the artist's official instagram (@chunkyungja_official)
Among the exhibited works are iconic paintings such as “Twilight with Tango” and “Man with Fish.” These pieces, along with previously unreleased letters and photographs, offer an intimate look at Chun’s life, blending artistic grandeur with personal introspection. Each piece reveals her nuanced understanding of color, a hallmark that earned her titles such as “Painter of the Soul” and “Magician of Color.”
The exhibition also marks a turning point for Goheung County, which has taken steps to honor Chun’s legacy by designating a section of her hometown as “Chun Kyung Ja Art Road.” With this exhibition, there is hope that a permanent Chun Kyung Ja memorial center may eventually come to fruition. Kim expressed her appreciation for Goheung County’s dedication to preserving her mother’s legacy, emphasizing the importance of the exhibition as a stepping stone toward establishing a lasting tribute in her hometown.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of the artist's official instagram (@chunkyungja_official)
Chun Kyung Ja was born in Goheung, Jeollanam-do, in 1924 and became known nationally in 1955 after winning the prestigious President’s Award for her painting “Essence.” She captivated audiences with her emotive self-portraits and vibrant landscapes, embodying a distinct Korean aesthetic in her richly-hued paintings. Chun’s works resonated with audiences for their raw emotional power, reflective of her deeply personal life journey.
The exhibition is more than just a display of art; it is a heartfelt tribute by a daughter who has poured her soul into honoring her mother’s life and work. “I believe my mother would be proud,” Kim reflected, noting that her mother often found solace in her art. Chun’s piece “Twilight with Tango,” prominently featured in the exhibit, is emblematic of her mother’s reflective yet passionate nature. This iconic painting, last sold at auction in 2019, remains a testament to Chun’s unique artistic voice.
The Poster of the exhibition, Courtesy of the artist's official instagram (@chunkyungja_official)
Sumita Kim hopes this exhibition will serve as the starting point for a more permanent dedication to Chun’s life and work in Goheung. "Chun Kyung Ja's legacy is one of courage, authenticity, and an unparalleled contribution to Korean art. This exhibition is the beginning of Goheung’s long-term commitment to honor her," Kim said, expressing her aspirations for further projects such as restoring Chun’s birthplace and establishing a Chun Kyung Ja Memorial Center. The exhibit runs through December 31, allowing art lovers and Chun’s admirers alike to experience the life and legacy of a pioneering Korean artist.
