Gwangyang City to Hold Special Minhwa Exhibition by Painter Eom Jaekwon at the 25th Gwangyang Plum Blossom Festival

Exhibition Showcasing the Artist Behind "Girin-do," Presented to President Xi Jinping

Gwangyang City in South Jeolla Province announced that it will hold a special Minhwa exhibition titled "The Scent of Plum Blossoms, Blooming in Minhwa" by painter Hyocheon Eom Jaekwon at the Gwangyang Plum Blossom Culture Center’s special exhibition hall during the 25th Gwangyang Plum Blossom Festival.

This special exhibition has been organized to present major works by painter Eom Jaekwon, who created the Minhwa painting "Girin-do" that was presented as a state gift to Chinese President Xi Jinping at the recent Korea-China summit, to local residents and tourists. Most of the works on display are originals, while "Girin-do," which was delivered as a state gift, will be shown as an art print.

Folk painting by Eom Jaegwon, 'Owl and Plum Blossoms'. Provided by Gwangyang City

The exhibition, under the theme "Spring of Minhwa Carried on the Scent of Plum Blossoms," is composed of three sections: "Tam-mae" (Searching for Plum Blossoms), "Sim-mae" (Contemplating Plum Blossoms), and "Hyang-mae" (The Fragrance of Plum Blossoms).

The "Tam-mae" section focuses on traditional Minhwa such as the Ten Symbols of Longevity folding screen, highlighting the symbolism and historical significance of Minhwa. The "Sim-mae" section presents works themed around plum blossoms and nature, conveying seasonal changes and the unique expressive qualities of Minhwa. The "Hyang-mae" section showcases works that add a contemporary sensibility to traditional Minhwa techniques, and also introduces the book "Minhwa Around Us."

Painter Hyocheon Eom Jaekwon has been designated as "Minhwa Traditional Cultural Asset No. 2" by the Korea Minhwa Association and has been actively carrying on and developing the traditions of Minhwa through his creative work. In particular, when his work "Girin-do" was selected as a state gift for the Korea-China summit, it drew international attention to the artistic value of traditional Minhwa.

Through this special exhibition, Gwangyang City plans to further develop the Gwangyang Plum Blossom Festival into a comprehensive cultural festival where nature and art, and tradition and modernity, come together.

An official from Gwangyang City said, "The special exhibition of painter Eom Jaekwon connects Gwangyang’s plum blossoms with traditional Minhwa, expanding the cultural significance of the festival," adding, "We hope that the 25th Gwangyang Plum Blossom Festival will establish itself as a cultural tourism festival that showcases traditional arts based on the region’s identity."