Exhibition of Award-Winning Works from the 'Senior Citizens Drawing Contest' in Namgajwa 1-dong, Seodaemun-gu

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] “Receiving crayons and drawing paper reminded me of my childhood and made my heart race. I wanted to draw my father and mother going out to work in the fields, and the dog following them, but it was difficult.”

“Coloring with crayons required strength in my hands. That’s why I thought this kind of drawing activity is a good program for the elderly.”

“Drawing the thatched-roof house and the village where I played as a child felt like a happy time, as if I had gone back to the old days.”

Inside the Namgajwa 1-dong Community Service Center (Moraenae-ro 15-gil 37) in Seodaemun-gu, these reflections along with paintings drawn by the elderly themselves are exhibited, attracting the attention of visitors.

The Mabom Council of Namgajwa 1-dong recently held the “5th Senior Drawing Contest” in celebration of Family Month and is displaying the winning works at the community center until June 30.

The council has been holding this annual contest since 2016 under the theme “My Hometown Scenery in Memories,” allowing seniors to recall their childhood and express their hometown landscapes through paintings, helping them feel emotional stability and happiness.

This year, the contest was held non-face-to-face due to social distancing. About 70 participants received crayons and drawing paper, painted at home, and submitted their completed works.

The exhibition features 25 outstanding works awarded from 2016 to this year. Especially, this year’s works are displayed along with photos and reflections of the winners.

A visitor to the community center said, “I was looking at the artworks while climbing the stairs on the first floor and ended up going all the way to the third floor. Seeing the paintings drawn by the elderly reminded me of my parents and my childhood hometown, which was very moving.”

Jung Jong-mi, head of Namgajwa 1-dong, said, “The paintings, which reflect the memories and lives of the elderly, are delivering emotion and comfort to the residents and audience.”

The “Mabom Council” is the name of the “Seodaemun-gu Dong Community Social Security Council,” a district-level public-private welfare cooperation organization, meaning “caring for neighbors’ hearts and the village.” It is organized in all 14 dongs of Seodaemun-gu and actively operates.

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