Gyeongnam National University Awards Honorary Doctorate in Fine Arts to Painter Min Taehong

"Honored to Receive from Gyeongnam National University, Proud of Its History and Tradition"

On the 7th, Kyungnam University awarded an honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts to Min Tae-hong, Chairman of the Korea Contemporary Art Exhibition Association, at the Kyungnam University Far East Asian Studies Institute located in Samcheong-dong, Seoul.

Min Tae-hong, a master of abstract painting and renowned for his ‘Jiduhwa (指頭畵)’ technique of painting with nails and fingers instead of brushes, has incorporated the five traditional Korean colors?Cheong (?, blue), Jeok (赤, red), Hwang (黃, yellow), Baek (白, white), and Heuk (黑, black)?into his works based on his artistic philosophy of “heart to the homeland, eyes to the world.”

Min’s experimental and creative artworks, which transcend the boundaries between Eastern and Western art, were sold at high prices at the 2021 Heritage Auction, one of the top three auctions in the United States, held at the Dallas auction house.

President Park Jae-gyu of Gyeongnam National University (right) awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree to Min Tae-hong, President of the Korea Contemporary Art Exhibition Association, on the 7th. [Image courtesy of Gyeongnam National University]

As it is rare for a domestic artist to be invited to a global auction, Min has elevated the international status of Korean art, which had been undervalued, at the heart of the international art market, establishing himself as an artist standing shoulder to shoulder with world-renowned masters.

Additionally, Min was the first Korean painter to receive the UN Peace and Human Rights Award. In 2014, as a cultural and artistic ambassador for the UNESCO Korean Commission, he held a special exhibition to support hope-sharing projects, donating a significant portion of the proceeds to educational support programs in underdeveloped countries.

He donated 45 artworks to a campaign supporting families of victims of drug abuse in the United States and received a plaque of appreciation from the U.S. government. He was also awarded the U.S. President Obama Award (Platinum Award) and appointed as an international standing committee member of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Victim Support Fund.

Domestically, he was selected as one of the 48 Artists of Our Time by the Korea Art Promotion Institute and has received numerous awards including the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award at the 36th Korea Contemporary Art Exhibition, the Grand Prize at the 33rd Korea Contemporary Art Exhibition, the Excellence Award at the 35th Korea Art Exhibition (National Exhibition), the Presidential Commendation for Artistic Merit, and the 1st Korea Arts and Culture Person of the Year Award.

Kyungnam University highly evaluated Min Tae-hong’s contributions through his active artistic activities, which have greatly contributed not only to the development of Korean art but also to the enhancement of Korean cultural and artistic awareness, and awarded him the honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts.

In his acceptance speech, Min said, “I am very honored and grateful to receive an honorary doctorate from Kyungnam University, which boasts a proud history and tradition.”

The event was attended by many distinguished guests including Park Jae-gyu, President of Kyungnam University; Kim Sun-hyang, Chairperson of Simyeon Academy (University of North Korean Studies); Kwon Young-geol, Chairperson of the National Architecture Policy Committee; Kim Won-mo, President of Daehan News; Park Bae-sung, Secretary General of the Presidential Security and Safety Research Association; Ahn Jung-geol, Chief Cartoonist of Webtoon Mall; Yang Mu-jin, President of the University of North Korean Studies; Lee Kwan-se, Director of the Far East Asian Studies Institute; and Lim Hyung-jun, Dean of Graduate School at Kyungnam University.

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