North Korean art is tied to the genre of socialist realism, producing works of blatant propaganda as well as those with more subtle allegorical story lines. All artists work for the DPRK state, producing artworks which typically portray loyal citizens marching in the vanguard of the revolution, vanquishing enemies and fulfilling quotas. However, within this … [Read More]
Category: North Korean art
A fun addition to the smallest room in the house
Even as lockdown is gradually relaxed in the UK, we need to be reminded to be on our guard, that Covid-19 is still a threat. The nice folks at Koryo Studio – an affiliate of the travel company that brought us Dan Gordon’s series of feature-length documentaries on North Korea – have commissioned a work … [Read More]
North Korea – Natural Beauty @Mall Galleries
The second outing this year for Paul and Teresa Song’s quality collection of North Korean artworks: North Korea: Natural Beauty 6 – 11 November 2018 10am to 5pm (closes 1pm on final day) Mall Galleries | The Mall | London SW1 | www.mallgalleries.org.uk Highlighting the talent and culture of Chosun (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, aka North Korea), this … [Read More]
Art Above Adversity – an exhibition of North Korean paintings
La Galleria, which hosted the first major exhibition of North Korean paintings in London back in 2007, will host another opportunity to see the collection of Paul and Teresa Song, which graced Coningsby Gallery a year ago. Well worth a look. Art Above Adversity La Galleria Pall Mall | 5b Pall Mall | 30 Royal … [Read More]
Event news: Adam Cathcart talks on Soviet art’s impact on DPRK
As part of a party celebrating the launch of the summer edition of Index on Censorship – the Russian Revolution edition – Adam Cathcart, founder of Sino-NK.com and lecturer in Chinese history at Leeds University will be giving a talk on the impact of Soviet art on North Korean art and culture. We are also … [Read More]
In pictures: Song Byeok’s exhibition at the Human Rights Action Centre
LKL paid a brief visit to Song Byeok’s exhibition at Amnesty International’s Shoreditch building on 9 May – a quick lunchtime hop from the day job in Canary Wharf. Unfortunately we didn’t make it to the discussion evening at SOAS (we were flying back from our annual Korea visit at the time). But here are … [Read More]
Event news: Song Byeok’s debut UK exhibition + discussion evening
Connect: North Korea, a new organisation brought to you by the people behind the European Alliance for Human Rights in North Korea, celebrates its launch with an exhibition by North Korean exile artist Song Byeok and a discussion event: Song Byeok: Discussion evening and debut UK exhibition Exhibition: Human Rights Action Centre | 17-25 New … [Read More]
Exhibition visit: Chosun Paintings — Beyond Borders, Beauty.
When going along to an exhibition of work by North Korean artists you’re not quite sure what to expect. David Heather’s collection that was exhibited at La Galleria in 2007 had something for all tastes, including propaganda posters; a genre, influenced by western painting styles, that might be dismissed as Juche kitsch; and Chosonwha, which … [Read More]
Exhibition news: North Korean Paintings — Beyond Borders, Beauty, at Coningsby Gallery
Late notice of an exhibition of a private collection of paintings by North Korean artists. Thanks to Hannah Giles and Marc Leggett for bringing this to my attention. North Korean Paintings: Beyond Borders, Beauty Thu, 16 Feb 2017, 10:00 AM – Sun, 19 Feb 2017, 9:00 PM The Coningsby Gallery | 30 Tottenham Street | … [Read More]
Event news: Jane Portal on art and archaeology in North Korea
News of a lunchtime lecture at the British Museum this coming Friday: Tradition and socialism: art and archaeology in North Korea Jane Portal Friday 29 April 2016, 13.30–14.30 BP Lecture Theatre Free, booking essential | Book Online In this lecture, Jane Portal, British Museum, will discuss the dual influence of Korean tradition and the socialist … [Read More]
Event news: I am Sun Mu screens at Human Rights Watch Film Fest
The documentary about the North Korean defector artist known as Sun Mu gets two screenings as part of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival. LKL’s review from last Autumn’s Raindance is here. I am Sun Mu Director: Adam Sjöberg Year: 2015 / 80m Language(s): English, Chinese, Korean March 13, 2016 5:30 PM @ Ritzy Brixton … [Read More]
Film review: I am Sun Mu, at Raindance
It’s always nice when you are rewarded for staying at the end of a movie to read the credits. Among the names credited for the soundtrack of Adam Sjöberg’s documentary film I am Sun Mu is kayagum player Jung Ji-eun, a well-known player and teacher based in New Malden. It was also nice that she … [Read More]
Event news: North Korean defector movie I am Sun Mu at Raindance
Coming to the Raindance Film Festival on 3 October, the European premiere of a documentary about a North Korean artist defector. Tickets will be available from the Vue box office shortly. I am Sun Mu 3 October 2015, 6:20pm Vue Piccadilly, 19 Lower Regent Street, London SW1Y 4LR European Premiere Directed by Adam Sjöberg United … [Read More]
North Korean artists paint London scenes, on show at the DPRK embassy
Seven years ago, artists from Pyongyang’s Mansudae Studios came to London with a wide range of works in a variety of genres. There were ceramics, oils, chosonhwa, embroidery, and of course the images that caught everyone’s attention: the propaganda posters. The location was opposite the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall. This week, a different … [Read More]
DPR Korea Fine Art Exhibition, at the DPRK embassy
The details of the exhibition of works by artists from Pyongyang’s Mansudae Studios have now been released. The exhibition will be at the DPRK Embassy. DPR Korea Fine Art Exhibition Hosted by Mansudae Art Studio, DPR Korea & Heather Arts and Exhibits Ltd. sponsored by The Embassy of DPR Korea in London 3rd November – … [Read More]
The London Mansudae exhibition – the Kickstarter project
A few weeks ago LKL broke the news of an upcoming exhibition of North Korean art in London later this yeaar. The exhibition is getting closer – and a venue in W1 has been earmarked. You can be part of the event by supporting the Kickstarter project launched by the exhibition organiser, David Heather. Here’s … [Read More]