[Gallery Walk] Sumukbyeolmi: The Past and Present of Korean and Chinese Ink and Color Paintings

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art & China Art Museum Joint Exhibition
Showcasing 148 Representative Korean and Chinese Modern Ink and Color Paintings
Featuring 32 Masterpieces of Grade 1-3 (National Treasure Level) from China's State Administration of Cultural Heritage

A special exhibition where modern and contemporary ink and color paintings from Korea and China can be seen in one place is being held.

Exhibition view of 'Ink Splendor: Modern and Contemporary Korean and Chinese Paintings' at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) China Art Museum. [Photo by National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art]

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) opened "Ink Splendor: Korean and Chinese Modern and Contemporary Paintings" on the 28th at the MMCA Deoksugung in Jung-gu, Seoul, co-planned with the China Art Museum.

This exhibition was planned to showcase the essence of ink art encompassing both tradition and modernity of the two countries. It is an exhibition that presents a total of 148 representative modern and contemporary ink and color paintings collected by the only national art museums of the two countries, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the China Art Museum, in one place.

Marking the 30th anniversary of Korea-China diplomatic relations, the exhibition originally scheduled for 2022 was postponed due to COVID-19 and is now opening first in Korea this year.

Lee Sang-beom's 'Chodong'
[Photo provided by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art]

The exhibition is composed of four parts in total, two parts each for Korea and China, exploring the artistic originality and transformation process of ink paintings in both countries. The first section of Korean paintings exhibits works by Korean artists from the early 20th century to the 1970s, including Lee Sang-beom, Lee Ungno, Park Rae-hyun, and Jang Un-sang. These works highlight how ink painting inherited and reinterpreted tradition, allowing visitors to deeply understand the cultural context and artistic significance of ink painting.

The second section of Korean paintings examines how ink painting has expanded through modern plasticity and new media via works by contemporary artists such as Kim Sun-doo, Yoo Geun-taek, and Lee Jin-joo. These works demonstrate how ink painting transcends traditional boundaries and opens new possibilities within the flow of contemporary art.

The works of Chinese artists embody both cultural tradition and innovation. The first section of Chinese paintings features large-scale ink masterpieces representing 100 years of modern Chinese art by artists such as Wu Changshuo and Xu Beihong. These works are classified as Grade 1 to 3 cultural relics designated by the China National Cultural Heritage Administration and are a high-quality collection being shown domestically for the first time.

Jeonma by Shi Beihong [Photo courtesy of National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art]

The second section of Chinese paintings introduces works by contemporary artists such as Hu Mingzhe and Su Baijun, showing how traditional ink painting is newly interpreted in the context of modern art through innovative ink works.

In the exhibition space arrangement, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art placed Korean and Chinese works side by side, allowing visitors to directly compare the aesthetic differences each country holds despite sharing common materials and techniques in East Asian art, which is also a noteworthy aspect.

This arrangement provides visitors with an opportunity to feel the diversity of ink painting and to deepen their understanding of the originality of each work. For example, Lee Ungno’s abstract brushstrokes and Xu Beihong’s realistic composition offer completely different aesthetic experiences despite both being ink paintings.

Kim Ah-young 'Okin-dong'
[Photo provided by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art]

Kim Ah-young’s "Okin-dong" and Seo Jeong-tae’s "Red House on the Hill" well demonstrate how contemporary ink painting flexibly expands based on traditional materials and techniques. These works infuse modern sensibility into ink painting through original forms and new materials, exploring the potential of ink painting within the context of contemporary art.

On the other hand, China’s Ling Fengmian breaks down the boundaries between tradition and modernity with original compositions and innovative expressions, deeply influencing Korean artists as well. His work maintains the roots of East Asian traditional art while offering visitors a new visual experience and presenting an expanded world of ink painting.

Ink painting is an art that goes beyond painting itself, capturing the nature of both nature and humanity through the harmony of water and ink. In this exhibition, Lee Young-chan’s realistic landscape "Gumijeong" and Xu Beihong’s "Charging Horse" delicately reveal this essence. Lee Young-chan’s work captures actual scenery and evokes awe for nature, while Xu Beihong’s work conveys dynamism and vitality through concise brushstrokes.

Liquor is 'Yongsu and the Buffalo'
[Photo provided by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art]

Beyond modern changes, the dialogue with traditional values also stands out. While Korean female artists such as Chun Kyung-ja and Hwang Chang-bae expressed unique sensitivity and plastic beauty through color paintings, China’s Liao Bingxiong attempts social and inner reflection during the Cultural Revolution through "Self-Mockery," delivering a powerful message to visitors.

This exhibition helps visitors deepen their understanding of the artistic value of ink painting through various programs such as international academic conferences, workshops, curator talks, and conversations with artists.

Kim Sung-hee, director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, said, "Through this exhibition, we plan to expand cultural and artistic cooperation between Korea and China and continue research and discussions through related workshops and international academic conferences."

The exhibition will be held at the MMCA Deoksugung until February 16 next year, and then will continue as a traveling exhibition in China next year.