129th Anniversary of the Donghak Peasant Revolution, "Art of the Revolution" International Forum Held

On the 2nd, at Jeonbuk National University Geonji Art Hall... 5 Speakers from 4 Countries
Exploring Modern World Revolutions vs Donghak Peasant Revolution through Art
Special Exhibition at Jeonbuk National University Samsung Culture Hall until the 1

On the 129th anniversary of the Donghak Peasant Revolution, an international forum exploring the connections between the art of revolution, modern global revolutions, resistance movements, and the Donghak Peasant Revolution was held on the 2nd in Jeonju. This forum, focusing on modern world revolutions, was organized to promote the globalization of Donghak.

The "3rd Jeonju Donghak Peasant Revolution Commemorative World Revolutionary Art International Forum," held at the Geonji Art Hall of Jeonbuk National University, was hosted by Jeonju City and the Jeonju International Revolutionary Art Forum Organizing Committee. On this day, five speakers from four countries including Korea, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Canada presented topics on revolutions in various countries mediated through art. The event was attended by over 200 people and was conducted with simultaneous interpretation.

On the 2nd, marking the 129th anniversary of the Donghak Peasant Revolution, an international forum exploring the connections between "Revolutionary Art," global modern revolutions, resistance movements, and the Donghak Peasant Revolution was held in Jeonju. The photo shows the "3rd Jeonju Donghak Peasant Revolution Commemorative World Revolutionary Art International Forum" held at the Geonji Art Hall of Jeonbuk National University.
[Photo by Jeonju City]

This forum, now in its third year, began in 2021 with the theme "Revolutionary Literature and Film," and last year was held under the theme "Songs of Revolution."

The first keynote speech of the international forum was delivered by painter Park Hong-gyu under the theme "The Donghak Peasant Revolution Seen Through Paintings." Painter Park, a peasant artist, has devoted his life to creating a series of prints on the Donghak Peasant Revolution. After graduating from university, he moved to Jeonbuk and engaged in the peasant movement, painting scenes of rural life and peasants. He contributed cartoons to the Nongmin Sinmun (Farmers' Newspaper) for over 20 years. In particular, he has dedicated himself to depicting the Donghak Peasant Revolution and the peasants of that era.

Following this, the forum featured three overseas speakers: art historian Thomas T. M?ller, director of the Martin Luther Museum in Germany; Professor Anthony Alan Shelton of the University of British Columbia, Canada; and British art critic Digby Warde-Aldam. They presented on the themes "Hammer, Sword, Rainbow: Symbols of Peasant Uprisings in Art," "Art, Revolution, and the End of Time: Mexico, 1847-1950," and "Even Riot Police Are Human: Lessons from May 1968," respectively.

Dr. Thomas M?ller presented on the art of the German Peasants' War. From 2005 until last year, Dr. M?ller served as the director of the museum in M?hlhausen, the birthplace of the German Peasants' War and the main base of Thomas M?ntzer. The German Peasants' War was a revolution led by the radical Reformation figure Thomas M?ntzer. He shared a fate similar to Jeon Bong-jun, and the revolution became the seed of the European Reformation.

Professor Anthony Shelton, who gave a presentation on South American art, is a critic and curator specializing in the culture and art of Latin America, including Mexico. He introduced the highly militant yet popular South American resistance art, such as the mural movement centered in Mexico, drawing significant attention.

British art critic Digby Warde-Aldam introduced the "1968 Revolution," which swept across Europe and the world, stating, "The 1968 Revolution was never fully completed anywhere, but it deeply influenced world history, especially cultural history."

The final presentation was given by Hong Sung-dam, a leading Korean art activist, on the theme "Contemporary Asian Art." Hong is a representative Korean people's painter. Born in Gwangju, he directly participated in the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement during his student years and subsequently engaged in art activism. In 1989, he was imprisoned for painting the "National Liberation Movement," which caused a global stir. Until recently, he has actively supported art movements backing the Myanmar democratization struggle and opposition to the war in Ukraine.

Following the presentations, three commentators?painter Lee Ki-hong, art critic and painter Kim Ki-hyun, and Japanese art critic Inaba Mai?offered their remarks.

Meanwhile, after the international forum, the opening ceremony of a special exhibition was held. The exhibition runs until the 15th at the Samsung Cultural Center of Jeonbuk National University. During the exhibition period, meetings with the artists are also scheduled. The exhibition features works by over 50 domestic artists under the theme "Revolution, and Beyond Revolution."

Hwang Kwon-ju, Director of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of Jeonju City, said, "Through this international forum, which examined the Donghak Peasant Revolution and revolutionary and resistance movements worldwide under the theme of 'Art of Revolution,' we hope to commemorate the Donghak Peasant Revolution and provide an opportunity to suggest the direction we should take in the future through revolution and art movements."