DMA - DAEJEON MUSEUM OF ART

Lee Donghoon is an artist who was in the midst of Korea’s modern and contemporary art as he went through the crucial period of Japanese colonial rule and the following turbulent modern age of Korea. Before 1945, when Korea was liberated from the Japanese colonial rule, he became a teacher at Daejeon Technical High School and settled down in Daejeon. He usually made paintings of bucolic scenery in the countryside, and made an effort to educate the upcoming generation of artists. Thus, to honor Lee Donghoon, who committed himself to his art world and educating young artists, the “Lee Donghoon Art Award” was established in 2003 by his followers
As an artist and educator who represented Daejeon and the Chungnam areas, Lee’s achievements have been uated as high in the history of Korean modern and contemporary art, and his contribution to the development of Daejeon art has also been recognized as supreme. These days, this award program, marking the 17th anniversary of its establishment this year, is increasing its reputation as a program representing Korea. ‘The Steering Committee of Lee Donghoon Art Award’ and ‘Joongdo Ilbo’ are sponsoring the award, and the Judging Committee of the award is selecting the winners for the main award and the special award: The main award is given to an elder artist who has contributed significantly to Korean art and has accomplished significant achievements, and the special award is given to an artist in their 40s or 50s who has worked actively based in the Daejeon or Chungcheong area. The purpose and meaning of this award program has been expanding in Korea, including the city of Daejeon, as it has discovered and supported artists who have fiercely sought their art world during turbulent times. In addition, as it gives a chance for the winners to exhibit their pieces in a museum spotlight, it is recognized as a very meaningful award program that shows the true reason of the existence of an art award.

Shin is well known as a painter who has created experimental paintings in various styles. In particular, realistic paintings where a red jagaejang (a cabinet inlaid with mother-of-pearl) stands out are the most famous among his pieces. In these nostalgic pieces that recall memories of the past, Shin arranged a jagaejang (a piece of furniture his mother used to use) in front of worn-out wallpaper and put several household goods on the furniture. The ancient items shown whenever the doors of the furniture were opened are precious household items that his mother carefully kept. Shin revived these items by describing them in his work, and we can feel from them his attachment for his mother fully. I think this is why Shin titled all of these pieces “Affection.”
His pieces are very realistic to the degree that the viewers are amazed at their detailed deion. He made these pieces with the skills he has mastered through numerous experiments and long practice. The jagaejangs in his pieces look like real lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Over a lengthy period of time, Shin colors, attaches, engraves, applies, and draws repeatedly until his deion reaches the ultimate point of detailedness. In Shin’s art world, this ultimate point of detailedness is an important part that connects the past and the present, and memory and sympathy. In addition, we can see his empathy and painting theory, a key to open the time and space of the past, in these household items on a jagaejang,
There is nothing immortal in the world, but on the day when the jagaejang is opened, the memory hidden in it will remain forever as an art released from a sealed world.

Shin Jinho was born in Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. He graduated from Daejeon Bomoon High School, the Department of Paining at Chung-Ang University, and the graduate school of Hanman University. He has since been teaching students at Bomoon High School and has also been working actively as a painter. He reinterprets the meaning of representation, the nature of painting, in a unique way by connecting a memory of the past with the present. He has contributed to the development of Daejeon art and twice served as the vice president of the Daejeon Branch of the Korean Fine Arts Association.