Exhibition Featuring Paintings Like ‘Gang’ and ‘Gosa’ Reflecting the Artist’s Imagery
Jongno-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jeong Munheon) announced on the 10th that it will hold an exhibition titled "Ganwon Diary (艮園日記)" from the 10th of this month until March 30th of next year to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the opening of the Jongno-gu Park Nosu Art Museum (34 Ogin 1-gil).
The name of this exhibition, "Ganwon," refers to the studio in Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, where painter Park Nosu stayed and worked on his art from the late 1980s. The exhibition is arranged to showcase about 30 works and other materials that embody the painter's desire to escape the mundane world and dwell in the beautiful great nature, reflecting his Daoist scholar spirit.
Visitors can appreciate large-scale works completed in the 1990s here. The piece "River (江)" (1991) vividly displays the characteristics of early 1990s works, using bright colors such as yellow and blue and soft brushstrokes. In landscape paintings including "Scholar (高士)" (late 1990s to early 2000s), one can often find figures of noble scholars or individuals residing in vast natural settings.
The "Park Nosu House," where the artworks are exhibited, is a representative example of eclectic-style cultural housing built during the Japanese colonial period, constructed around 1937 by architect Park Gilryong. Not only the house but also the garden personally cultivated by painter Park Nosu offers meaningful insights into his philosophy and aesthetic sense.
On the first floor exhibition hall, including the main room, living room, and kitchen, a total of 23 original artworks are displayed. The attic on the second floor, characterized by its unique roof structure and windows, screens video materials introducing the house. These materials were recorded and produced as a video of the Park Nosu Art Museum architectural tour program held last month. It provides an opportunity to explore the house from architectural and historical perspectives, featuring Professor Lee Kyunga of Seoul National University's Department of Architecture and painter Park Nosu's artistic views.
In the study room on the second floor, visitors can enjoy the media art piece "Mountain and River Scenic Views," which utilizes scholar's stones collected with affection by the painter. This work stands out for reinterpreting Park Nosu's landscape paintings through the unique visual and auditory language of disabled artist Park Youseok. The scholar's stones and surrounding space are dyed with vibrant colors as if painted with translucent layers, allowing an indirect experience of the mountain and river scenic views.
In the bathroom, an interview with Professor Park Donggyu of Seoul National University about painter Park Nosu's artistic world is screened against the backdrop of Ganwon. Additionally, various archival materials, newspaper articles, the painter's garden, and diverse collections are also worth noting.
The exhibition opening ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m. on the 10th. It will feature a collaboration between Lee Changhoon, the principal daegeum player of the Cheongju City Traditional Music Orchestra, performing a variety of music genres from classical, film OSTs, popular songs, to folk songs, and the Isaac Cello Quartet consisting of Park Seonggeun, Lee Hochan, Seo Woohyeong, and Lee Sangeun.
To ensure easy and comfortable viewing for both disabled and non-disabled visitors, large-print leaflets and sign language interpretation videos will be provided. For more details, inquiries can be made by phone to the Jongno-gu Park Nosu Art Museum.
The Jongno-gu Park Nosu Art Museum opened on September 11, 2013, based on the lifelong painting career of painter Namjeong Park Nosu and the house and garden he personally cultivated over 40 years of residence.
So far, more than 424,000 citizens have visited this place. Besides exhibitions, it operates art education programs for children and youth, special lectures by notable figures, and exploration programs, all of which are highly popular and often fully booked.
District Mayor Jeong Munheon stated, "We will strive to provide residents with high-quality cultural and artistic benefits by making the Park Nosu Art Museum a focal point."
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