EXHIBITIONS

Joseon Tales in Minhwa Palette - 2024 SAMA 4th Exhibition

When you hear the word "Minhwa" (韓國民畵), you may imagine a pair of humorous tiger and magpie, chaekgado(冊架圖) or chaekgeori, or some beautiful flower paintings such as peonies and lotus flowers. I can say that these subjects are incredibly appealing and are often painted by many artists, as we did at the previous exhibition “Books with Flowers, Bloom with Scent” in 2022.

For this exhibition, however, we attempted to go beyond the familiar works we are accustomed to and showcase a broader range of Minhwa. As suggested by the title "Joseon Tales in Minhwa Palette,” we are presenting works with narratives that reflect everyday life or have historical significance, which require a high level of technical skill to create. As SAMA marks its eighth anniversary, these works are the result of the continued dedication and efforts of our members.

This exhibition has been diligently prepared by 21 members, and presents court-beloved paintings such as Jangsaengdo (長生圖) and Songhakdo (松鶴圖), historical records like the procession of King Jeongjo, Admiral Yi Sun-sin's naval training, and Emperor Gojong's banquet, Baeksubaekbokdo (百壽百福圖), Pyeongsaengdo (平生圖), various chaekgado paintings with distinct features and styles, dragon paintings commemorating the Year of the Dragon(雲龍圖), and newly created minhwa works.

Although Korea and Singapore differ in latitude and weather, the passionate interest and enthusiasm for Minhwa are equally intense. It is with great joy that we present this exhibition of Korean Minhwa in the heart of Singapore, and we hope that those who visit will also leave with a sense of Korean culture from the beauty and originality of Korean Minhwa. Thank you.

Participated SAMA Artists

An Sunhee / Back Rail / Choi Soowon / Chung Ae Jin / Ham Minsook Mindy / Hyun Soo Jung / Jang Sun Hee / Jean Eunju / Kim Hakyung / Kim Hyun Jung / Kim Jung Ok / Kim Junhee / Kim Yubin / Lee Hye Jin / Lee Jihye / Lee June Young / Lee Sunie Monica / Peng Su Jin /Song Eun Kyoung Maggie / Tae In Young Irene / Yi Ja Youn Iris

Books with Flowers, Bloom with Scent - 2022 SAMA 3rd Exhibition

The 2022 SAMA 3rd exhibition, ‘Books with Flowers, Bloom with Scent’, offered a reflective and healing experience through Minhwa, Korea’s traditional art. In a world still recovering from the impact of COVID-19, the exhibition's focus on ‘books and flowers’ symbolised wisdom, renewal, and comfort. Books represented knowledge and inner strength, while flowers symbolised nature’s resilience and hope. Together, they conveyed the human need for recovery and calm.

Ten SAMA artists expressed these themes on Hanji, infusing traditional Minhwa elements with contemporary relevance. The exhibition provided not just visual beauty but a space for healing, encouraging viewers to reconnect with the simple joys of life. The timing of the exhibition made it particularly poignant, offering a message of resilience and hope after the challenges of the pandemic.

By blending the timelessness of Minhwa with the emotions of the present, the 3rd exhibition became an invitation to pause, reflect, and find peace in both nature and tradition. Through their works, the artists reminded us that even in times of hardship, beauty and wisdom are constants we can rely on for solace.

Participated SAMA Artists

Kawak Theresa / Doo Jung Ran / Baek Ra Il / Park Hyun Sissy / Song Eun Kyoung / Lee Sunie Monica / Lee June Young / Lee Jihye / Lee Hye Jin / Lim So Jung / Jang Sun Hee / Chung Ae Jin / Tae In Young Irene / Peng Sujin /Ham Minsook Mindy / Hyun Soo Jung

Korean Paradise - 2019 SAMA 2nd Exhibition

Longing for immortality in paradise was commonly expressed in paintings because Minhwa served as a conduit to overcome the woes of the current life with the internal strife for an after or alternate life. As such, Minhwa commonly repeats the themes of success, love, luck, adventure and posterity to not only teach and relay such beliefs and value systems but also to create visual hiding places for the beholder. Withstanding time and history, Minhwa continues to be a valuable and popular art form today, not only because it bears witness to ancient people and beliefs but also because it is essentially an honest and earnest expression of basic human desires. The pursuit of paradise continues as long as humankind exists and Minhwa will continue to mirror our desires in abstract and yet familiar ways.

Participated SAMA Artists

Kang Yurim / Kim Sangok / Kim Eunkyoung / Kim Eunsil / Kim Eun Hee / Park Hyun Sissy / Song Eun Kyoung / Aoh Soo Hee / Yoo Chung-Hoon Sue / Lee Sunie Monica / Lee Seung Jin / Lim So Jung / Jang Sun Hee / Chung Ae Jin / Jeong Yong Seon / Choi Mijyung / Peng Sujin /Ham Minsook Mindy / Hyun Soo Jung

The Pursuit of Happiness - 2017 SAMA 1st Exhibition

Happiness is essentially the main topic of Minhwa. Minhwa is the painting of the people - the commoners, not the professional artists. It has been one of the key elements in decorating our ancestors’ homes and the venue for the people to wish upon their dreams and happiness to come true. The motifs and animals painted in Minhwa are believed to not only keep the evil spirits away, but also bring in good luck and happiness.

Although our lifestyle has changed dramatically from the time when Minhwa was first painted a few hundred years ago, the attitude of pursuing happiness through this colourful and naive styled folk art still remains the same. 10 SAMA artists have poured their passion and energy into the hanji canvas and sublimate the wish of happiness into beautiful arts.

Participated SAMA Artists

Kang Yurim / Kim Eun Hee / Park Hyun Sissy / Shin Ji Hwa / Aoh Soo Hee / Lee Sunie Monica / Chung Ae Jin / Peng SuJin / Ham Minsook Mindy / Hyun Soo Jung