Landscape

Oksan Kim Ok-jin (79), a protégé of Euijae Huh Baek-ryeon (1891-1977), is one of the few senior painters of Korean traditional drawing. Since she started studying under Euijae in her early 20s, she has successfully lighted up the genealogy of Korean drawing, representing images of Korean landscapes with modern techniques. From October 17-22, a special exhibition for Oksan will provide an opportunity to glance at her lifetime portfolio at the Seoul Gallery Press Center in Seoul.

The exhibition is the 24th of retrospectives of Korean power artists supported by Dong-A Ilbo since a posthumous exhibition for Cheongjeon Lee Sang-bum in 1972. Some 70 artworks will be on display, including some of the most recent works like “Chun-gwang” (a spring scene), “Cheongryugyokdan” (clean water and whirling rapids), and “Uldolmok Soyongdori” (a whirlpool at Uldolmok Strait). “Uldolmok Soyongdori” reminds viewers of “Uldolmok Sogyeon” series (1978, 79), touted to be one of her greatest works for its creativity in interpreting Korean traditional drawings. “When I first saw the painting, it struck me like a thunder. I still can’t forget the sensation and excitement,” said writer Lee Chung-jun. “I was so impressed by its stirring power and sublime spirit.”

“Cheonboguyeo,” her recent drawing of landscape, water, and ten longevity symbols on the exhibition, is commanding as much admiration as any of her masterpieces. Her pupils say her paintings are as powerful as early 1990s. Her more recent works use a lot of stone colors, giving more natural looks. “My health once deteriorated, but the retrospective reinvigorated me,” said Oksan. “The longer I pursue drawings, the more I lament on my silliness and haste, and feel the abstruseness of my task. Drawing landscape should have rhythm and style, which makes it similar to living a life.” For further information of the exhibition, call 02-2000-9753.

heo@donga.com