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. Critical of authoritarianism and emphasizing community resistance, the movement aimed to be a kind of art that was for everyone, regardless of class. Artists collectives formed the core of the movement, including Reality and Utterance and the Association of Gwangju Freedom Artists, while popular artforms included banner paintings (geolgae geurim) and woodcut prints (panhwa). In particular, the May 18 Democratic Uprising, which took place in Gwangju in 1980, became a catalyst that further sparked the movement.

Resources

type	resource	title	description/caption	URL
기사	Chonnam Tribune	May Spirit of Gwangju Reborn Through Arts		https://tribune.cnumedia.jnu.ac.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=20637
기사	Yonhap News	'Spring of Democracy' exhibition highlights records, emotions of Gwangju uprising		https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20200528007800315
해설	MMCA Research Lab	Minjung Art		https://mmcaresearch.kr/terms/view.do?fid=1360&code=terms5
해설	MMCA Research Lab	Reality and Utterance		https://mmcaresearch.kr/terms/view.do?fid=1164
해설	MMCA Research Lab	Gwangju Freedom Artists Association		https://www.mmcaresearch.kr/terms/view.do?fid=1381&code=terms2
해설	MMCA Research Lab	Banner Painting		https://mmcaresearch.kr/terms/view.do?fid=1192&code=terms5
해설	MMCA Research Lab	THE MEANING AND EVALUATION OF 15 YEARS OF MINJUNG ART: 1980–1994		https://www.mmcaresearch.kr/essays/view.do?fid=2093