Hyundai Hwarang is pleased to present 《Korean Figurative Paintings: Yoon Jungsik, Park Ko-Suk, Yim Jik Soon, and Lee Daiwon》, an exhibition showcasing the works of four pivotal figures in Korean modern and contemporary art. On view from January 23 to February 23, 2025, the exhibition features a selection of significant pieces from the 1970s and 1980s, a period during which these artists were at the peak of their creative endeavors. This exhibition highlights the deep and enduring relationship between Hyundai Hwarang and the artists, offering a fresh perspective on their unique artistic visions. It also seeks to reaffirm their significant contributions to art history and their enduring importance in the broader narrative of Korean art.

Yoon Jungsik (1913–2012) was born in Pyongyang, North Korea. In 1939, he graduated from the Department of Western Painting at the Musashino Art University (formerly Teikoku Art School) in Japan. After Korea’s liberation, he was awarded the Special Prize at the 2nd National Art Exhibition of The Republic of Korea. He later served as Chairman of the Steering Committee of Korean Fine Arts Association Exhibition and as a professor at Hongik University. Yoon’s works are characterized by vivid and bold colors, strong outlines, and rich tonal depth, reflecting the profound sense of longing and loss he experienced as a displaced person during the Korean War and the tragedy of national division. Drawing inspiration from his childhood memories, Yoon frequently depicted scenes such as the Daedong River, doves, sunsets, and rural landscapes. His works are regarded as artistic chronicles that transform deep nostalgia into refined visual expressions, evoking poignant emotions about his fading homeland. In his later years, Yoon held a solo exhibition titled 《Sangsu (Centenarian · 100 Years)》 at the Seongbuk Museum of Art, demonstrating his lifelong dedication to art. Even shortly before his passing, he remained passionately committed to his craft, never putting down his brush. After his death, his family honored his legacy by donating dozens of his cherished masterpieces, further solidifying his place in the history of Korean art.

Park Ko-Suk (1917–2002) was born in Pyongyang and graduated from Pyongyang Soongsil Hakdang. In 1935, he traveled to Japan to further his studies and graduated in 1939 from the Department of Fine Arts at Nihon University’s College of Art. Upon returning to Korea, he cultivated close relationships with various artists, including Lee Jung Seob and Han Mook, whose deep friendships significantly influenced his creative journey. Disenchanted with the rigid academic art conventions of the time, Park co-founded the Modern Art Society in 1957 alongside Yoo Youngkuk, Hwang Yeom Soo, Lee Gyu-sang, and Han Mook. The collective sought to break away from traditional norms and explore new directions in modern art. Since 1968, Park began to delve deeply into nature, a central motif in his work, drawing inspiration from his mountain climbing expeditions. He traveled across Korea’s renowned mountains, including Bukhansan, Seoraksan, Baekyangsan, and Jirisan, capturing the changing seasons on canvas. Through bold contrasts of color and dynamic brushstrokes, Park conveyed the intense energy emanating from these majestic landscapes. In the 1970s and 1980s, he further developed his distinctive artistic style by breaking away from traditional perspectives, employing unconventional spatial compositions, and emphasizing the grandeur and vitality of mountains. The rich textures of thick oil paint became a hallmark of his work during this period, establishing a unique artistic vision that celebrated the awe-inspiring power of nature.

Yim Jik Soon (1921–1996) was born in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province. In 1936, he traveled to Japan to study painting at the Japan Art School in Tokyo. After returning to Korea, Yim began teaching in 1961, succeeding Oh Chi Ho as a professor at Chosun University. For fourteen years, he dedicated himself to nurturing the next generation of artists in Gwangju, Korea. Yim pursued formatively balanced composition that harmonized vivid color fields with striking contrasts of light. His primary subjects—natural landscapes, flowers, and women—were imbued with a vitality that he sought to explore deeply. Yim was particularly known for painting on-site, capturing the emotional resonance of nature with authenticity and immediacy. His use of color expressed the beauty of nature through a deeply personal and introspective lens. A consistent participation in the Korea Nation Art Exhibition, he earned recognition for his creative abilities. In 1957, he was awarded the Presidential Award at the 6th Korea National Art Exhibition his work 〈Jwasang (Seated Image)〉. His works are celebrated for their integration of light and color, achieving both artistic autonomy and aesthetic depth. His art transcended natural themes, delving into a profound inner world and embodying a unique fusion of emotional and visual expression.

Lee Daiwon (1921–2005) was born in Munsan, Gyeonggi-do. He majored in law and graduated from Keijo Impeiral University (now Seoul National University). Despite not receiving formal art education, Lee gained recognition for his artistic talent, earning awards at the Joseon Art Exhibition and the Korea National Art Exhibition. In 1957–1958, he held three exhibitions in Germany, playing a key role in introducing Korean modern art to international art world. As an educator, Lee served as a professor at Hongik University’s College of Fine Arts from 1967 until 1986, and as dean (1972–1974) and chancellor (1980–1982) at the same institution. During the 1950s and 1960s, when Korean art was dominated by monochrome and minimalistic abstraction, Lee remained dedicated to his distinctive figurative style. His primary motifs included mountains, fields, trees, ponds, stone walls, and orchards—familiar elements of nature. The artist devoted himself to a unique method of painting, using rich primary colors and short, continuous brushstrokes to define shapes and contours. This approach allowed him to capture the changing beauty of nature across the seasons—spring, summer, autumn, and winter—imbuing his work with vibrant color. Far from merely representing nature, Lee captured its vitality and the joy of life, offering viewers a sensory and dynamic pictorial experience that radiates energy and emotion.

Hyundai Hwarang seeks to shed new light on the art of these influential figures who have made an indelible impact on Korean art history, offering an opportunity to experience the true essence of Korean figurative painting.