The exhibition "Landscapes of Homeland and Longing" at the Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) commemorates the 80th anniversary of national liberation. (MMCA)

By Charles Audouin

An exhibition to commemorate the 80th anniversary of liberation features landscape paintings focused on hometowns in the country from the Japanese colonial period (1910-45) to the present, showcasing the aesthetics of each era.

"Landscapes of Homeland and Longing" kicked off on Aug. 14 at the Seoul branch of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) within Deoksugung Palace in the city's Jung-gu District, showcasing about 210 paintings, sculptures and photos by 85 contemporary domestic artists.

The works reflect on the meaning of national territory through landscape paintings, specifically the loss of sovereignty after Japanese annexation and rediscovery, national separation and division due to civil war, survival amid ruin and hope for reconstruction.

Landscapes featured in such art hail from regions like Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do Province; Sinan-gun County, Jeollanam-do Province; Hongseong-gun County, Chungcheongnam-do Province; and Uljin-gun County, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. The exhibition also shows pieces stored for a long time at art museums and kept by private collectors and the homes of the artists' families.

This is an untitled 1954 work by Kim Won. After studying in Japan, he worked in Korea as an art teacher in the cities of Hamheung, Hamgyeongnam-do Province, and Pyeongyang, both of which are in North Korea, and moved to Seoul in 1947. (Charles Audouin)

The works were borne from a variety of times and places. Making its public debut at this exhibition is an untitled painting by Kim Won (1912-94), which lyrically captures peace in the post-Korean War era through a riverside scene tinged with sunset.

"Nostalgia" by Park Sunghwan (1919-2001), which is shown in the exhibition poster, uses compelling colors, thick texture and one-sided composition in depicting a woman carrying a jar in a vertical structure. Its folkloric image is buoyed by symbolism and sentimental depth.

This is the poster for the exhibition "Landscapes of Homeland and Longing," which marks the 80th anniversary of national liberation. (MMCA)

MMCA Director Kim Sunghee said, "We hope that this exhibition truly captures the perspectives of artists who depicted their eras and their homeland."

The exhibition runs through Nov. 9. Admission is KRW 2,000 in addition to the KRW 1,000 fee required to enter Deoksugung Palace since the museum is within the palace.

The Seoul branch of the MMCA was opened in 1998 at the west wing of Seokjojeon Hall at Deoksugung Palace. It is conveniently located close to other tourist attractions such as the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Jeongdong Park, Seoul Museum of Art and Namdaemun Market and easily accessible from Exit 1 at City Hall Station (Subway Lines 1 and 2).

Seoul branch of MMCA at Deoksugung Palace in Seoul's Jung-gu District (Charles Audouin)