E2024-G099

Minjung Art Forms: Banner Paintings

Narrative

One of the key forms of Minjung art, or “people’s art,” is the banner painting (geolgae geurim). A number of banner paintings were made to convey and commemorate the events of the May 18 Democratic Uprising. These banner paintings, influenced by traditional Korean Buddhist hanging painting serve as visual narratives that keep the spirit of the uprising alive. Integral to this movement are the creative forces of Tomal Art Collective and Madang Art Collective, art collectives formed in the early 1980s at Chosun University and Chonnam National University, respectively. These groups birthed significant works such as “Fight of the People-Having Met This Troubled World”, crafted by the artists of Tomal, and “From May to Unification”, created by Madang. Each piece is a testament to the collective’s commitment to preserving the ethos of Minjung art, an art born out of the peoples’ struggle and yearning for change. Through these works, the legacy of the May 18 Democratic Uprising endures, a visual beacon of hope and a testament to the enduring power of art in the fight for justice.

Resources

type	resource	title	description/caption	URL
해설	MMCA Research Lab	Banner Painting		https://mmcaresearch.kr/terms/view.do?fid=1192&code=terms5

Story Map

• Minjung Art: Visual Revolution and Social Awakening
  • The Democratization Movement as Seen through Art: Minjung Art
  • Minjung Art Forms: Woodcuts
  • Minjung Art Forms: Hanging Paintings
  • Minjung Art Forms: Murals
  • Joining Together for Art: The Jeonnam-Gwangju Art Collective Alliance
  • Artist Hong Seong-dam and His Woodcuts of the May 18th Democratic Uprising