E2024-G097

The Democratization Movement as Seen through Art: Minjung Art

Narrative

Minjung art, or "people's art," emerged during the 1970s and 1980s as part of the Korean democracy movement. It meant to be a kind of art that war for everyone, regardless of class, criticizing authoritarianism and emphasizing community resistance. Artists collectives formed the core of the movement, including Reality and Utterance, Dureung, and the Association of Gwangju Freedom Artists, while popular artforms included banner paintings and woodblock printings. The May 18 Democratic Uprising became a catalyst that further sparked the movement.