The Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang is the DPRK’s premier art production center and is responsible for the majority of artworks seen throughout the country, from scenic oil paintings to the country’s well known socialist realist posters.
Founded in November 1959, the Mansudae Studio has over the years grown to accommodate a labor force of over 4,000 people, of which over 700 members alone today are artists.
While large statues designed and built by the studio’s overseas art projects wing can be found in nearly ten countries throughout Africa, North Korean art is rarely found – let alone toured – in European countries.
Yet four of the Mansudae Art Studio’s finest oil painters have this week been traveling around London, England, and between November 4 and November 7 will be holding an exhibition of their work at the Korea DPR Embassy in the UK.
The exhibition, which represents the first time that the DPRK Embassy will be opening its doors to uninvited members of the British public, also marks the first time that artists from the Mansudae Studios will produce art work while traveling in the UK.
Members of the public will not only be able to enter the DPRK Embassy to view the artwork on display next week, but also have the chance to speak face-to-face with four of the country’s most accomplished oil painters.
To find out more about the event, jointly sponsored by the DPRK Embassy and Heather Arts and Exhibits, NK News posed the four artists questions about their work, their lives and what it means to be at the Mansudae Studio in Pyongyang.
NK News: How does someone become a Mansudae Artist and what training is involved to reach that level in the DPRK?
Mr. Jon Pyong Jin: Most of the Mansudae artists are graduates from Pyongyang University of Fine Art. There’s no examination or that sort of thing to become a Mansudae artist, but top-scored graduates usually want to become Mansudae artists, as Mansudae is the organization which has many famous and highest level artists in D. P. R. of Korea.
So once you become Mansudae artist, you can learn from the famous artists and continue your training.
In secondary school, when you want to become an artist or the ones who have potential, you go to the after-school activities. At the time of graduation, you get the examination to enter university of, which 5 year terms is the normal case. This is an ordinary course of training but this is not all that is needed to reach the high level of expertise. As an artist, in his/her life time through the creation activity, one continuously polishes up skills.
NK News: How prestigious is it to be a Mansudae artist and can you explain a bit about the reputation of Mansudae artists in North Korea?
Mr. Hong Song Il: Once you are a member of the Mansudae Art Studio, it is true that you have proud about it, but only when you have success in your creative activities, and you become one of the famous artist groups, you can proudly say that I work at Mansudae and I am an artist of Mansudae.
NK News: What is a typical week like for a working Mansudae artist?
Mr. Ho Jae Song: Normally artists work from Monday to Friday, but it depends on the individual artists and what they are doing. To create fine art about the landscape and life of the country, they normally visit many places to get inspired and pick up information and make études. From time-to-time their visit takes a couple of weeks, even months of time, before they return back to the studio for their creation.
Normally (hours) is 9 to 6 including one hour lunch break, but again, it depends on the individual artists, as some of them work through overnight when they are inspired and focused at their artwork.
NK News: Where do you get your inspiration from and what scenes do you particularly prefer to paint?
Mr. Hong Song Il: We get artistic inspirations from human life and circumstances, so our works are all about human life and beautiful scenes. We produced many artworks, among them several works are already collected by (the) Korean National Gallery. In D. P. R. K. there are titles being honoured to the artists; Merited Artist and People’s Artist. These titles are not related to their creation period or numbers of works created or even their level of skill, they are only dependent on their merits achieved.
NK News: Do you have a favorite North Korean artist from the studio?
Mr. Kim Hun: In Mansudae Art Studio, there are many famous artists, so it is difficult to name a specific artist who they like, but in general artists admire and respect most of the Merited and People’s Artists regardless of the kinds of artworks.
NK News: Have you been able to paint scenes in London during your time here and what scenes did you select to paint?
Mr. Kim Hun: During our stay in London, we created some paintings depicting (the) London view and people. The views might be ordinary to Londoners but those paintings are (a) reflection of London to the eyes of the artists. Those cannot be typical London, but still it is view from London, say ‘London-at the eyes of the Korean artists’.
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Biographies:
Mr. Jon Pyong Jin – (Oil painter, Merited Artist) Born in 1971, Pyongyang, DPRK. Graduated from the Pyongyang University of Fine Arts in 1991 and has since been attending the Mansudae Studio. Also works as Senior Officer in the department of Creation of Mansudae. Participated several national and international exhibitions in China.
Mr. Kim Hun – (Oil painter, Merited Artist) Born in 1968, Jagang Province, DPRK. Graduated from the Pyongyang University of Fine Arts in 1989. Has participated in several international exhibitions to get highly praised and get awards.
Mr. Ho Jae Song – (Oil Painter) Born in 1972 Pyongyang, DPRK. Graduated from the Pyongyang University of Fine Arts in 1993. Also participated several international exhibitions and highly praised.
Mr. Hong Song Il – (Oil Painter, Merited Artist) Born in 1967 Pyongyang, DPRK. Graduated from the Pyongyang University of Fine Arts and creating fine arts in 1991. Participated in several national and international exhibitions.
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“DPR KOREA FINE ART EXHIBITION” will be open between: 11.00 am to 5.00 pm from 4th – 7th November.
The DPRK Embassy address (where the exhibition will be held): 73 Gunnersbury Avenue, Ealing. London W5 4LP
Pictures: Heather Arts and Exhibits
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