Gwangju’s Mid-Century Fine Arts Community

Narrative

During the mid-20th century, Gwangju became a focal point for fine arts development, producing many respected artists of the time. Local fine arts activities were centered around groups such as the Gwangju Fine Arts Research Society, which was founded in 1947 by Po Kim (1917-2014) and included members such as O Ji-ho (1905-1982), Kang Yong-un (1921-2006), Kim Sang-jung, Yun Jae-u (1917-2005), and Yi Dong-mo, and the Hwanguhoe Artists Collective, which included members such as Po Kim, Bae Dong-sin (1920-2008), Chun Kyung-ja (1924-2015), and Heo Baek-ryeon (1891-1977). Among these artists, Po Kim, Kyung-ja Chun, Oh Ji-ho, and Yun Jae-u were affiliated with the Department of Fine Arts at Chosun University, which served as the center of tertiary fine arts education in the Jeolla region. Other notably faculty include the artist Im Jik-sun (1921-1996), while the artists Kim Yeong-tae (1927-) and Guk Yong-hyeon (1930-1991) were graduates of the department. Meanwhile, the Hwanguhoe Artists Collective was closely connected with Jeonnam Girls’ High School, where the school’s art teachers played an instrumental role in the group’s foundation. Among these artists, namely Po Kim and Chun Kyung-ja, would later move to New York City, becoming known on an international scale.