KIM KI CHANG

This exhibition seeks to reassess the aesthetic and historical significance of Unbo’s seven-decade artistic career, spanning from the 1930s to the 1990s. Born in 1914 in Seoul, Unbo lost his hearing at the age of seven due to complications from typhoid fever. In 1930, with his mother’s arrangement, he began studying under Idang (以堂) Kim Eun-ho (1892–1979), a master of traditional Korean painting. Remarkably, within just six months of training, he was selected for the 10th Joseon Art Exhibition (hereinafter ‘Seonjeon’) in 1931, marking his formal debut. He gained further recognition in 1937 when he received the Changdeokgung Prize, the highest honour at Seonjeon. Appointed as a ‘Recommended Artist’ in 1940, he continued to exhibit annually until 1944.

Following the Korea’s liberation, he married Woohyang (雨鄕) Park Re Hyun (1920–1976) in 1946. The couple profoundly influenced each other’s artistic development while forging their own distinct creative paths. After Woohyang’s passing, Unbo relocated to Cheongju, Chungcheong-do—his mother’s hometown—where he completed the construction of Unbo’s House in 1984. This exhibition offers a comprehensive survey of Unbo’s artistic legacy, encompassing works from across his career. In addition to his individual pieces, the presentation includes collaborative paintings created with Woohyang, along with a selection of her representative works, providing a multifaceted view of their artistic dialogue.