'Picasso of South America' Oswaldo Guayasamin's Works Arrive in Korea

Special Exhibition Approved by Ecuador Government from 19th
Featuring Representative Works by Period Including 'Aedo-ui Gil', Oil Paintings, and Sketches

The works of Oswaldo Guayasam?n (1919?1999), Ecuador's national painter, are being introduced in Korea for the first time.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the 16th that a special exhibition of Guayasam?n will be held at the Sabina Art Museum in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, from the 19th of this month until the 22nd of next month. The exhibition will showcase eighty-nine pieces, including representative works from different periods such as "The Path of Mourning (1946?1951)," "The Age of Anger (1960?1970)," and "The Age of Tenderness (1980?1999)," as well as original oil paintings, sketches, and watercolors. An interview with Guayasam?n during his lifetime will also be presented in video form.

Guayasam?n is regarded as Ecuador’s cultural hero and is often called the "Picasso of Latin America." He built a unique artistic world by expressing the culture, identity, and religion of the people in his works. His art reflects traces of life confronting social discrimination and the realities of his era. He gained international recognition for his insightful portraits addressing human and social inequalities.

He was also known as a fighter for social justice. He ardently supported the Fidel Castro regime by advocating the values of the Cuban Revolution. Political oppression, racism, poverty, and the social classes of Latin America were lifelong themes he sought to reveal and express to the world.

All of Guayasam?n’s works are designated as Ecuadorian cultural heritage and cannot be exported abroad without government approval. This exhibition has been promoted since last year to revitalize cultural exchange between Korea and Ecuador. An official stated, "We hope our citizens will show great interest in Ecuador’s history and culture."

The opening ceremony on the 18th will be attended by Park Yang-woo, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, foreign ambassadors to Korea, and figures from the art world. Guayasam?n’s daughter Berenice and Ecuador’s Minister of Culture, Angelica Arias, will also attend to grace the event.

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