APMA offers rare chance to explore folk, royal paintings at once
Amorepacific Museum of Art's exhibition brings together more than 100 works of paintings, craftworks and folding screens from Joseon era to modern era.
The 19th century painting 'Bookshelves' depicts books, stationery and a variety of antiques that one might have found on court bookshelves back then. It will take some time to appreciate each item, many of which have their own meaning, most popularly: prosperity.
The painting, which functioned as a holding screen and was created by prominent court artist Yi Taek-gyun, is on view at the Amorepacific Museum of Art as part of 'Beyond Joseon Minhwa.' It is the private museum's third exhibition highlighting traditional Korean art.
This unique genre of Korean painting is called 'chaekgeori,' literally meaning 'books and things,' and prospered from the 18th century.
The exhibition goes on to explain how royal court paintings were recreated among everyday people, showing a variety of 'minhwa,' or folk paintings. This genre prospered in the late Joseon era (1392-1910) and continues to enjoy popularity today, with many artists creating contemporary reinterpretations.
Subjects of minhwa vary depending on the artist or theme, but often feature a rooster, dog, lion, tiger, jumping carp or the ten longevity symbols. The final section of the exhibition is dedicated to artworks with the most typical minhwa subjects, such as 'tiger and magpie' and 'dragons and clouds.'
More than 80 folding screens and a variety of crafts including ceramics, metalwork, woodcraft and textiles featuring minhwa as decorative art are on show at the museum, offering a rare chance to explore chaekgeori and minhwa at once. Some paintings were recently acquired by the museum, according to APMA.
The exhibition requires audiences to make an advance online booking on the museum's website. It runs through June 29. The museum is closed on Mondays.
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