Han Sang-Ik, An Authentic Painter Of North Korea
한상익, 북한의 순수 미술가

A Biographical Dictionary Of Artists In Chosun There is a book titled 'A biographical dictionary of artists in Chosun(-North Korea) ' written by Lee Jae-Hyun, an art historian in North Korea. The book was published in North Korea, and it introduces about 1000 painters in North Korean history (it is almost the only art history book published in North Korea, which is available to the South Korean public.) I’m posting about 5 pages regarding Han Sang-Ik out of 800 pages in total. Please note that that the article will be quoted as closely as possible to the original because the article is a perspective of North Korean historian, even though there are many North Korean expressions which may be unfamiliar to South Korean readers. A biographical dictionary of artists in Chosun, written by Lee Jae-Hyun, 1999 (Revised edition) Han Sang-Ik (1917.9.2~1997.10.22) He was born in Juseo-ri, Hamju-goon, Hamgyongnam-do in 1917, and graduated from the Hamheong public high scho...

Criticism and Stubbornness Firstly, do not apply the paint too thickly or excessively. Secondly, the colour must be bright in oil painting. Thirdly, do not apply extreme contrast in painting. Fourthly, mass of paint, rough brush strokes and uneven paint layers, etc would not be suitable for the aesthetic taste of the North Korean people. Fifthly, the layers of colours needs to be smoothened evenly so that there is nothing caught by hand when you touch the surface of the painting. Sixthly, vibrant colours, accuracy of shapes and clarity of silhouette should be described. -- A sketchbook of Park Gae-ri | Quoted from ‘What is the Choson socialist painting?’ The article quoted above is not what a teacher from art school teaches students.It is what the North Korean oil painters were instructed in 1970’s. Many of oil painters changed their practice from oil painting to Chosonhwa(-the traditional North Korean ink-wash painting) as the Chosonhwa got selected as Juche art and t...