1926
Born in Seogwipo
Born on 22 May in Seohong-ri, Seogwipo, Jeju.
Life Timeline
Life Timeline
A principal timeline through which visitors can grasp the full life. Exact dates, exhibitions, awards and primary sources are given in the official chronology.
1931
Departure for Japan
At six, he crossed to Japan with his father.
1941
Osaka School of Fine Arts
He entered the Western Painting Department of the Osaka School of Fine Arts and began formal training.
1944
Self-Portrait
He painted a major self-portrait from the Japan period, now included in the 100 works.
1945
Graduation and Tokyo
He graduated from the Osaka School of Fine Arts and studied under Terauchi Manjirō in Tokyo.
1947
Two Doors Open
He was first selected for the Kōfūkai and, with FEMME, became the first Korean selected for the Nitten’s Western Painting section.
1948
The Highest Kōfūkai Prize
At the 34th Kōfūkai Exhibition he received the Kōfū Prize, its highest award, as its youngest laureate.
1949
Membership, Jury and First Solo Exhibition
He served as a Kōfūkai member and juror and held his first solo exhibition at Shiseido Gallery in Tokyo.
1957
Return to Seoul
He returned by air on 15 November and began the Seoul period.
1958
Hwashin Department Store Retrospective
He held a homecoming retrospective whose catalogue records sixty works from the Japan period.
1965
Autumn at Aeryeonjeong
He painted a major work of the Seoul-period palette and Biwon manner.
1975
Homecoming at Fifty
He returned from Seoul to Jeju and began to discard his established colours and techniques.
1976
Early Jeju
He left early post-homecoming works including Jeju and Rite to the Sea God.
1980s
The Jeju Language Takes Form
Dried-grass colour, storm, horse, crow, boat and bent body began to form a single painterly language.
1987
Gidang Art Museum and Ieodo
The history of Gidang Art Museum became connected to his practice, and major Jeju works were made.
2004–2005
Oral History
Across seven sessions and fourteen hours, he testified directly to his life and work.
2006
Seogwipo Studio
Late work and documentation continued in the Donghong-dong art space.
2013
The Final Work
After a final canvas of horse, black sun, small boat and shoreline, he laid down his brush.
2026
Centenary
Works, documents, research and thirty-four languages are reconnected in the Atlas.
Source principle: primary documents, contemporary reports and official records are distinguished from secondary material.