E2024-G165

The Art and Life of Heo Baek-ryeon, Gwangju’s Representative Painter

Narrative

Heo Baek-ryeon (1891-1977, pen name: Uijae) was a renowned painter and calligrapher. He was born in Jindo but settled in Gwangju from 1937. He visited Japan from 1912 to 1918, where he studied landscape painting, becoming affiliated with the Namjonghwa painting style. In Gwangju, he established an art collective known as Yeonjinhoe and founded the Gwangju Agriculture Technology High School together with Pastor Choi Heung-jong. The Uijae Museum of Art, located on Mudeungsan Mountain, is home to many of his works. Nearby is Chunseolheon House, designated as a Gwangju Monument, where he lived his last years. Uijae-ro Street is named after him.

Story Map

• Cultural Icons: Artists Who Shaped Gwangju’s Identity
  • Korean-American Abstract Expressionist: Po Kim
  • Gwangju’s Mid-Century Fine Arts Community
  • The Magician of Colors: Chun Kyung-Ja
  • The Art and Life of Heo Baek-ryeon, Gwangju’s Representative Painter
  • Activism Through Art: The Painter O Ji-ho