The Closing of 'Artist Park Geumman's Yeosun Uprising Historical Painting Exhibition' Transforming the Yeosun Uprising into Art

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Marking the 72nd anniversary of the Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion, the ‘Park Geum-man Artist Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion Historical Painting Exhibition’ held in Suncheon concluded on the 13th after a month-long display.

Sponsored by Jeollanam-do Province, Suncheon City, Suncheon National University, and the Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion Bereaved Families Association, and planned and conducted by the Yeosu-Suncheon 10·19 Special Law Enactment National Coalition (National Coalition), the ‘Recovered History Park Geum-man Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion Historical Painting Exhibition’ opened on the 12th of last month and was held for a month at the Suncheon National University Museum.

During the exhibition period, over 20 Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion guides affiliated with the National Coalition guarded the exhibition hall and welcomed visitors by explaining the history of the Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion, verified through paintings.

Visitors totaling around 1,300, including groups of up to 80 people ranging from elementary school students to elders aged 90, came from various regions of Jeollanam-do as well as Seoul, Gyeonggi, Gwangju, and other parts of the country.

Historians, film directors, cultural artists, educators, politicians, and ordinary citizens from all walks of life visited, entering the historical scene of October 1948, opening their long-closed hearts, listening attentively to the explanations, and beginning to speak out.

Elders who said, “I saw and heard it myself,” and “I don’t know how we lived through those terrifying times,” as well as bereaved families who revealed, “We had been holding our breath until now, but now we have come forward,” and citizens who had not known such history, all made the Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion historical paintings a new history for the public.

Im Song-bon, a guide who guarded the exhibition hall, said, “While welcoming visitors and providing explanations, I felt deep emotion and fulfillment, but also a great sense of responsibility.” He added, “I did not realize the effect historical paintings would have in promoting the Yeosu-Suncheon Rebellion. A permanent exhibition hall is definitely needed,” and said, “History has been shaped into cultural art.”

Artist Park Geum-man said, “I earnestly hoped this work would play a role in breaking the chain of Yeosu being labeled as a ‘communist rebellion,’ and it seems my dream has come true with so many people visiting.” He added, “I hope the necessity and urgency of enacting the special law will resonate with and spread among citizens.”

He also stated, “These works are dedicated to the bereaved families who are striving to uncover the truth about the deaths of over 30,000 victims and their parents and siblings from Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Gyeongsang-do.”

Park Geum-man was born in 1970 in Yeosu City, graduated from the Graduate School of Fine Arts at Sejong University, and has been actively exhibiting with over 10 solo exhibitions nationwide including Seoul, numerous invitational exhibitions, the Sejong Art Exhibition, group exhibitions, Gwangju Art Fair 16, and MANIF Seoul International Art Fair 2018. His works are held in the Gwangju Museum of Art and Yeosu Museum of Art.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.