2020 LA Art Project 1
Minhwa: Encounter of Three Artists

- Title: Minhwa: Encounter of Three Artists
- Date: January 10th(Fri) - January 24th(Fri), 2020
- Opening Reception: Friday, January 10, 2020 at 7:00pm-9:00pm
- Place: Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles Art Gallery (2nd Floor) 5505 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036
- Presented by: Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles
- Artists: Cheong Hae Cheong, Theresa W. Hwang, Soonja Yoo
- Opening Reception Reservation: www.kccla.org/english/programs_reservation.asp
- More Information: Tammy Cho, KCCLA at 323-936-3014

"The shift in history of modern Minhwa showcased in Los Angeles"

The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (KCCLA/Director Wijin Park) proudly presents the first exhibition of the 2020 LA Art Project, Minhwa, Encounter of Three Artists, which will take place from January 10th to January 24th, 2020 at the Korean Cultural Center Art Gallery, located at 5505 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036.

At this exhibition, three female artists, Cheong Hae Cheong (Seoul, Korea), Theresa W. Hwang (Los Angeles), and Soonja Yoo (Los Angeles) from southern California and South Korea will tell their stories through thirty traditional and modern art pieces.

Minhwa is a traditional type of art that was popular in the 18th century to the beginning of 20th century in Joseon. Until now, Minhwa was known to merely mimic the styles of the past, without reflections of the artist's originality. Nowadays, modern Minhwa art embraces the artists' own colors and contemporary trends while maintaining the traditional ways.

This exhibition will showcase the shift in Minhwa through artworks of artists who are leading the new trend of Minhwa.

The exhibition is open to the public and the opening reception will be held on Friday, January 10th, 2020 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the KCCLA 2nd floor art gallery. The show will run until January 24th, 2020.

▶ Soonja Yoo
Born and raised in Korea, she moved to the United States twenty-two years ago. After moving to the United States, she found a job painting abstract drawings on new handbags. Drawn at the fingertips of the artist, the handbags were popular among the Americans. She thought of this job as one she could do when she became older and with this thought, she began to study Korean folk art (Minhwa) and began to draw Minhwa on handbags. What began as a mere idea ten years ago has now become life in the making.

A noteworthy feature of Minhwa, some believe, is its practicality and it is considered to be more popular than other types of painting methods in Korea. It is easy to learn because its patterns can be easily drawn or traced. In particular, traditional Minhwa is bold with various forms and free compositions. One of Minhwa's many charms is that many paintings contain creative humor and laughter, and they are fun to draw.

In addition to being able to participate in competitions and being able to win numerous prizes, she is most honored to be able to share and discuss her work with people who share the same passion for Minhwa and continue to establish fun learning spaces.

▶ Cheong Hae Cheong
Artist Cheong Hae Cheong is a renowned artist who has won numerous awards as a Minhwa artist and is currently a member of the Korea Minhwa Association and the director of Gyeongju Minhwa Association.

Lacquer is known to last one thousand years. It has been used in furniture making and other crafts since ancient times but its use in Minhwa paintings is relatively short. She feels that it is her mission to let the world know about the Lacquered Minhwa of Korea. The Lacquered Minhwa is painted on a specially prepared board. Soil mixed with lacquer is coated on fabric covered wooden board. It is polished with a finest sand paper after the board is completely dried. Then and only then, it can be painted on.

▶ Theresa W. Hwang
The artistic mind of Theresa Hwang does not dwell in one fixed place. She has pursued art for over 30 years, and yet she continues to venture out for new ideas in art. She specializes in Minhwa, oil painting, pottery, and egg art. "The Feast of Flowers" lays its basis on Minhwa but also implements egg art to show a contemporary form of art.

The rough sketch was done freely, and the coloring was done with acrylic paint, oil paint, and decorated with jewels used for egg art. Through the uses of various materials, Artist Theresa Hwang attempts to show her own style of Minhwa without being confined by existing forms of art genres.