Traditional Korean paintings on display at Jeonnam International Sumuk Biennale

“If Vincent van Gogh had painted the country’s traditional landscape painting, he would probably have done something like this,” Lee Geon-su, the director of the Jeonnam International Sumuk Biennale, said as he explained “Instant Landscape ...

Lee Geon-su, the director of the Jeonnam International Sumuk Biennale, explains one of the art pieces on display at the annual art festival during a recent press event. [CHOI KYEONG-HO]

MOKPO — “If Vincent van Gogh had painted the country’s traditional landscape painting, he would probably have done something like this,” Lee Geon-su, the director of the Jeonnam International Sumuk Biennale, said as he explained “Instant Landscape–Aewol Sea” by Korean artist Kim Nam-pyo during a press event held late last month at Mokpo Culture & Arts Center in South Jeolla.

The oil painting depicts the sea at Jeju Island, but the artist adopted the style of traditional landscape paintings.

The biennale is designed to promote sumukhwa or sumuk paintings, which are traditional ink paintings that use just ink and water.

“Along with traditional sumuk paintings, we’ve filled the exhibition venues with paintings of the East and West. You’ll also see sumuk landscape paintings drawn by artificial intelligence,” Lee added. Installations and media art add a little something extra to the biennale, with many experimental art pieces emphasizing the charm of sumuk.

The Jeonnam International Sumuk Biennale kicked off on Sept. 1 in several venues across South Jeolla. The annual event is the only international art exhibition that focuses on sumuk paintings, with 190 artists from 19 countries participating this year.

Lee Geon-su, the director of the Jeonnam International Sumuk Biennale, explains one of the art pieces on display at the annual art festival during a recent press event. [CHOI KYEONG-HO]

Now in its third year, this edition runs through Oct. 31 under the title “Flowing Mountain, Suspended Water in the Sublime Harmony.”

The biennale aims to diversify and globalize sumuk paintings for those who are under the impression that the traditional paintings are relatively flat, lacking depth, compared to those of the West.

Along with the sumuk paintings, works of Chang Ucchin, Park No-su and Kim Byung-jong, all well-known modern and contemporary artists, are available along with some installation pieces such as “Zen for Head,” “TV Buddha” and “Tiger Lives” by world-renowned media artist Nam June Paik.

There are three venues being used as exhibition halls in Mokpo and another three in Jindo. Each space has a different theme.

“Instant Landscape-Aewol Sea” by Kim Nam-pyo [CHOI KYEONG-HO]

For example, contemporary sumuk paintings are available at Mokpo Culture & Arts Center, while sumuk paintings depicting college students and children are shown at Mokpo Hall of Popular Music. The genuine sumuk paintings of the masters can be found at Ullimsanbang Villa and Garden in Jindo.

Additional exhibitions are being held throughout South Jeolla before and after the biennale.

The “Lee Kun-hee Collection: Encounter” exhibition is at Jeonnam Museum of Art in Gwangyang. About 60 pieces from the collection of late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, including “Untitled” by Kim Whanki and “A White Bull” by Lee Jung-seob, are being displayed along with another 40 famous pieces by Korean artists.

Artist Hong Ji-yoon’s “Record of a Journey to Mujin” is displayed at the Suncheonman International Garden Expo. Hong’s contemporary sumuk painting is inspired by a simple ink drawing, printed on one page of the titular novel by Kim Seung-ok that was published in 1964. Another unique exhibition venue is Daeheung Temple in Haenam, which is a Unesco World Heritage.

“A White Bull” by Lee Jung-seob is part of the exhibition titled “Lee Kun-hee Collection: Encounter” held at Jeonnam Museum of Art in Gwangyang. Extra exhibitions are being held throughout various parts of South Jeolla before and after the Jeonnam International Sumuk Biennale, and “Encounter” is one of them. [JEONNAM MUSEUM OF ART]

“With high-quality and intriguing [sumuk] art pieces, I believe this year’s biennale will break down the stereotypes people have about sumuk paintings,” Lee said. “You should visit all the exhibition venues if you want to experience the essence of K-art.”

Visitors enjoy sumukhwa, or sumuk painting, the traditional ink painting that uses just ink and water, on the opening day of Jeonnam International Sumuk Biennale on Sept. 1 at Mokpo Culture & Arts Center. [YONHAP]

BY CHOI KYEONG-HO [kjdculture@joongang.co.kr]