'Yeomwon' exhibition to highlight emotions in traditional paintings

▲ “Portrait of King Sejo,” a work created based on a preliminary sketch of King Sejo (r. 1455-1468) that is believed to have been drawn in 1935 by Yi Dang Kim Eun-ho (1892-1979), provided by Korea National University of Cultural Heritage. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Jan. 23 (Yonhap) -- Korea National University of Cultural Heritage said Friday it will hold an exhibition titled "Yeomwon," meaning earnest wish, from Jan. 28 to Feb. 2 at Gallery Eun in Jongno, central Seoul, showcasing traditional paintings.

The exhibition will feature more than 50 works completed by 42 students from the university’s Department of Traditional Arts and Crafts, along with faculty members, all created using traditional techniques and materials.

Among the highlights is “Portrait of King Sejo,” a work created based on a preliminary sketch of King Sejo (r. 1455-1468) that is believed to have been drawn in 1935 by Yi Dang Kim Eun-ho (1892-1979).

Other notable works include “Jeokmado,” which combines a red horse with Dokdo Island, and “Giant,” depicting flowers, plants and fruits intertwined to form bizarre shapes.

The exhibition will also present works using “dongnok,” a green pigment successfully restored using traditional methods after about seven years of research by the National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage.

“Through a wide range of works such as dancheong, Buddhist paintings, portraits and royal court paintings, the exhibition will offer an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of ‘yeomwon’ embodied in traditional painting,” a university official said.

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