Participation of Scholars and Art Critics from Korea and Abroad
Highlighting the Contemporary Value of Traditional Ink Painting
Participants are taking a commemorative photo after the Jeonnam International Ink Biennale International Academic Symposium. Provided by Jeonnam Province
The Jeonnam Cultural Foundation's Jeonnam International Ink Biennale Secretariat announced on September 15 that it held an international academic symposium at Sol Beach Jindo, highlighting the contemporary value of traditional ink painting and exploring the meaning and potential of ink art within East Asian art.
The symposium, themed "Innovation of Tradition and Expansion of Materials: How Ink Works in Contemporary East Asian Art," featured four renowned scholars and art critics from Korea and abroad who engaged in a wide range of discussions.
Art critic Lee Jinmyung gave a presentation titled "The East Asian Aesthetic Consciousness of Geomheo and the Philosophy of Art Here and Now," interpreting the core value of East Asian traditional aesthetics, "Geomheo" (modesty and emptiness), in connection with contemporary art philosophy.
Chinese art historian Du Shiyun, in her presentation "Same Medium, Different Dreams: The Multi-layered Development of Ink in the Context of Contemporary Chinese Art," examined the diverse forms of expression and expansion potential of ink painting in contemporary Chinese art.
Japanese modern and contemporary art researcher Akimoto Yuji, with his presentation "The Whereabouts of Calligraphy: Morita Shiryu, Inoue Yuichi, Ishikawa Kyuyo, and Contemporary Artists," analyzed the evolution of ink expression focusing on changes in Japanese modern and contemporary calligraphy and painting, and introduced new attempts by contemporary artists.
Korean art historian Song Heekyung reinterpreted the artistic worlds of two representative late Joseon ink painters, Gongjae and Gyeomjae, and shed new light on the aesthetic value of traditional ink painting in her presentation "Two Masters of Late Joseon: Gongjae and Gyeomjae."
Following the keynote presentations, a comprehensive panel discussion was held, moderated by Jung Iljoo, editor-in-chief of Public Art. The panel included Yoon Jaegap, general director of the Jeonnam International Ink Biennale, Baek Jongok, director of the Art Ecology Research Institute, reporter Sung Sooyoung, and Ahn Hyunjung, chief curator of Sungkyunkwan University Museum.
During the discussion, participants reflected on the achievements of the Jeonnam International Ink Biennale, explored directions for future development, and exchanged various opinions on the contemporary value and globalization potential of ink art.
Kim Eunyoung, CEO of the Jeonnam Cultural Foundation, stated, "I hope this academic symposium will serve as an opportunity to further expand the significance of the Jeonnam International Ink Biennale by sharing diverse perspectives on ink art."
The 2025 Jeonnam International Ink Biennale will be held across Mokpo, Jindo, Haenam, and other areas of Jeonnam Province until October 31. This biennale will showcase a wide array of works encompassing both traditional and contemporary ink painting, with 83 artists from Korea and abroad participating to demonstrate the limitless potential of ink art to the world.
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