Traditional Paintings

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Traditional Korean paintings have long been stuck in the shadow of western paintings in recent years. However, new efforts have been launched to restore the value and prestige of Korean paintings.

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This line-and-wash drawing depicts the scenic Biseondae rock platform of Seoraksan Mountain. The uniquely shaped rocks and pine trees were portrayed using a traditional technique. The artist who drew this painting has won multiple awards at prestigious art contests. He says that his biggest worry is that fewer and fewer people want to learn to draw landscape paintings nowadays.

[Soundbite] Chung Kun-tae(Korean Artist) : "With the spread of western paintings since the 2000s, many colleges have shut down their departments for traditional Korean painting."

An event has opened recently to bring together the works of some 200 traditional Korean artists. Its goal is to restore the value of traditional Korean paintings, which have been overshadowed by western paintings in recent years.

[Soundbite] Kim Chun-ok(Head of Committee for Designation of Korean Paintings' Day) : "If we fail to protect our values, nobody will be able to help us. That is why we decided to designate Korean Paintings' Day in a symbolic way."

The artists have decided to designate December 2nd as Korean Paintings' Day, and exert various efforts to restore the value of traditional Korean paintings.

[Soundbite] Prof. Kim Jong-kyung(Chosun University) : "The traditional music sector receives all kinds of support, whereas the traditional art sector receives almost none."

Many are calling for cultural authorities to devise policies to support artists' efforts to revive the art form of traditional Korean painting.