KL art exhibition puts the deep-rooted folk spirit of Korea on display

Korean folk painter Youngji Seo with several pieces in the 'A Korean Spring in Malaysia' exhibition. In the centre is 'Geumgwedo' (Golden Chest), depicting the birth myth of Kim Alji of the Silla Kim dynasty, who was said to have descended from the heavens in a golden chest. Photo: The Star/Samuel Ong

Spring has come early to Malaysia – in A Korean Spring In Malaysia exhibition, South Korean artist Youngji Seo has unveiled a selection of traditional Korean folk paintings, which are now showing at d’Gallery, Dasein Academy of Art in Kuala Lumpur.

Also known as “minhwa”, this intricate art form began during the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), influenced by the Chinese and Japanese through cultural adaptation and colonisation.