‘A Shovel and Us’, Disabled and Non-Disabled Collaboration Exhibition Held
Drama ‘Uridului Beulluseu’ Writer Jeong Eun-hye and Veteran Writer Ryu Seong-ha Participate
Mayor Lee Gang-deok, “Efforts to Create an Environment Where Dreams Can Be
The "Pohang Disabled Artists Exchange Exhibition: United Through Art Beyond Disabilities" will be held from the 6th until January 31 of next year at the Pohang Summit Convention Center.
At the opening ceremony held on the 6th, attendees including Lee Kang-deok, Mayor of Pohang, Baek In-gyu, Chairman of the Pohang City Council, Shin Yong-jun, Manager of Dongkuk Steel Pohang Plant, and Park Yong-seon, Vice Chairman of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council, toured the artworks and celebrated the start of the exhibition.
This exhibition, under the theme "A Single Shovel and Us," is hosted by Dongkuk Steel Pohang Plant. It features a collaboration among artist Jung Eun-hye, who appeared in the drama "Our Blues," disabled artists from Pohang, and veteran artist Ryu Seong-ha.
Jung Eun-hye, who has Down syndrome and developmental disabilities, actively creates works under the title "There Is No Ugly Face in the World." She also received favorable reviews for her performance in last year's drama "Our Blues."
Jung Eun-hye enjoys great popularity as a painter, expressing her unique, non-formalized lines and affection for her subjects. Equally fond of people as she is of painting, she began drawing caricatures at Munho-ri River Market in 2016 and has since shared warm stories with approximately 4,500 people through her caricatures.
The exhibition features 22 local disabled artists (Challenged Artists), including Im Su-rin, presenting distinctive works. Artists affiliated with Pohang Smile Short-Term Care Center, Myeongdo School, Parents' Association for Developmental Disabilities, and Damjaengi Protection Center showcase a variety of works ranging from paintings to crafts and puzzle assembling.
Additionally, works by veteran non-disabled artist Ryu Seong-ha, who leads disabled art education, are also exhibited, providing a high-quality viewing experience. Ryu Seong-ha has won the Special Selection award three times at the Korea Art Exhibition.
This exhibition holds great significance as it brings together masterpieces by a master of the art world who has long served as a mentor to disabled artists and the works of disabled artists themselves, fostering communication and harmony.
Shin Yong-jun, Manager of Dongkuk Steel Pohang Plant, said, "Seeing Ryu Seong-ha’s work 'A Single Shovel' at this exhibition reminded me of the very first shovel that sparked the steel industry at Dongkuk Steel." He added, "We will continue to actively participate in the social activities of disabled artists based in Pohang."
Seo Jin-young, CEO of Ja-eun Nuri, a standard workplace for the disabled and the exhibition organizer, stated, "We will spare no effort in supporting art education and exhibitions so that local disabled artists can regain self-esteem as members of society and dream of a happy future." She also said, "We will work hard to create various channels to nurture Pohang artists into world-class artists through exchange exhibitions with artists from large cities and meetings with established artists."
Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, "The meeting of Pohang artists with disabilities, veteran artist Ryu Seong-ha who has mentored disabled artists for a long time, and Jung Eun-hye who overcomes disabilities to achieve her dreams represents the beautiful vision of mutual support and communication that Pohang City dreams of." He added, "Pohang City will also strive harder to create an environment where disabled people can pursue their dreams without prejudice or barriers."
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