E2024-G104

Artist Hong Seong-dam and His Woodcuts of the May 18th Democratic Uprising

Narrative

Hong Seong-dam (1955-) is renowned for his evocative woodcut prints that depict the May 18 Democratic Uprising—a pivotal event in the South Korea's fight for democracy. Having been raised in Gwangju, he took part in the uprising—experiencing the events first-hand. He was closely involved in the local art community as both a student, attending Chosun University's College of Fine Arts, and an educator, teaching at the Gwangju Citizens' Art School, which operated from 1983 to 1986.

Many of Hong's pieces, which are considered representative works of Minjung art movement, are displayed at the Ha Jung-woong Museum of Art. Many of his most notable works are woodcut printings, such as "Dawn" (새벽), "Puppet" (꼭두각시), "Great Unification" (대동사상), "Burial" (암매장), "Yangdong Battle" (양동전투), "Fighter's Report" (투사회보), and "Torchlight March" (햇불행진). Some of his works were recreated by North Korean artists.

Resources

type	resource	title	description/caption	URL
해설	WikiArt	Hong Song-dam		https://www.wikiart.org/en/hong-song-dam