By Honorary Reporter Jadiene Shani Teng from Philippines

Photos = Jadiene Shani Teng

Visitors on April 25 view works by jinchaehwa (folk art) painter Seo Jungyeon at the UP Fine Arts Gallery (Parola) in Quezon City, the Philippines.

The University of the Philippines Korea Research Center in Quezon City from April 14 through May 16 hosted the exhibition "Here Dowon II: The Founding of Joseon" at Gallery One of Parola, aka the UP Fine Arts Gallery. This exhibition was part of the center's 10th anniversary as a Korean studies hub, focusing on bilateral exchange. 

This solo exhibition featured jinchaehwa (traditional true-color painting, also called minhwa) painter Seo Jungyeon, who has reinterpreted images of the Joseon Dynasty by using teddy bear concepts in her art. 

Portraits of characters from the Dowon nation on April 25 are displayed at the exhibition at Parola.

The artworks in this collection revolved around the fictional nation of Dowon, led by teddy bears and built on kindness and happiness. Through individual portraits in archival print format, Seo introduced the primary characters and their roles in the nation such as Righteous Woong Jae-Soon, Wise Lady Woong and Woongdang of Justice. 

"Dowon Guardians: The Super Woong Academy" (left) and "Beginning and Continuity" (right) 

"Dowon Guardians: The Super Woong Academy" combined traditional visual elements with a modern Y2K-inspired aesthetic, characterized by vivid colors and dynamic composition. 

"Beginning and Continuity" presented a mixed media artwork depicting art materials and flowers. Seo's note said the materials trace the development of ideas while peonies and cactus symbolize courage and resilience, forming a cohesive visual narrative despite the unconventional combination.

This exhibition also included two self-portraits by the artist, each incorporating symbolic elements such as a flower and a peach associated with Dowon. These works contributed to a sense of continuity between Seo and her fictional world across the exhibition.

Materials used in traditional painting include brushes, pigments, adhesives and textile canvases.

Korea's traditional painting techniques were also introduced through a video presentation and material displays. The process highlights included the backside painting technique to create a layered effect through the silk canvas and build the colors and use of gold leaf in the artwork. The video also went through the painting in detail, encouraging closer observation of the artworks.

A display of materials such as pigments, brushes, textiles and adhesives offered further context on how these works differ from those using more contemporary painting practices.

ljyhwa@korea.kr

*This article was written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.