From Jeong Seon to Young Artists: The Unique Allure of Korean Painting Showcased in Japan

Reflecting on Shared Aesthetics Between Korea and Japan,
Seeking Connections Between Tradition and Modernity
Showcasing Korean Paintings from Jeong Seon to Contemporary Young Artists

To mark the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan, the exhibition "Redrawn World 2025," which spotlights "Korean painting," will be held in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan. This exhibition is jointly organized by the Ilmin Museum of Art, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, the Osaka Korean Cultural Center, and the Korean Cultural Center in Japan. Based on "Redrawn World: Discontinuity and Continuity in Korean Painting," which was held at the Ilmin Museum of Art in 2022, this exhibition explores the thematic, material, and technical expansiveness of Korean painting. In particular, by presenting the works through the external perspective of Japan, the exhibition highlights the dual backgrounds inherent in Korean painting, such as "tradition and modernity" and "discontinuity and continuity."

'Redrawn World 2025' Exhibition Poster. Ilmin Museum of Art

The exhibition brings together works by more than ten masters of Korean painting, including Jeong Seon and Kim Jeonghui, alongside works by five younger artists who have been active since the 2000s. By featuring contemporary artists such as Park Grim, Bae Jaemin, Son Donghyun, Jung Haena, and Choi Haeri, the exhibition bridges the past and present of Korean painting. Their works traverse tradition and modernity, retracing the historical influences shared by Korea and Japan and broadening the perspectives of visitors.

This exhibition focuses on the unique characteristics of Korean painting that distinguish it from traditional painting and Western painting, while also critically reflecting on and seeking to overcome the term "Oriental painting," which was introduced during the Japanese colonial period.

The exhibition will be held at the Osaka Korean Cultural Center until August 2, and at the Korean Cultural Center in Japan (Tokyo) from August 8 to October 11.

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