Shin Jang-sik

Beginning with the 〈Arirang〉 series in the late 1980s, the artist won the Grand Prize at the 1989 Korea National Art Exhibition with 〈Arirang — A Joyful Day〉. From 1993, he turned to Mt. Geumgang, visiting the mountain over ten times to create iconic works such as 〈Mt. Geumgang from Sangpaldam〉 (2001). 〈Mt. Geumgang from Sangpaldam〉 was hung at the Peace House for the 2018 inter-Korean summit, while 〈Light on the Cheonhwadae of Mt. Geumgang〉 (2014) was shown the same year at the Metropolitan Museum of Art's 〈Diamond Mountains: Travel and Nostalgia in Korean Art〉. In recent years, he traces the ridges of Mt. Seorak and Baekdu-daegan on foot, capturing the Korean peninsula's landscape under the gaze of 〈On the Path〉. Combining Korean hanji paper with acrylic, he carries the Jingyeongsansu (true-view landscape) spirit into contemporary painting. By joining the ridges of a divided peninsula onto a single canvas, his practice becomes a visual meditation on the light and hope of the Korean peninsula.

Key activities

· 1988 — Member of the art production team for the Seoul Olympics opening and closing ceremonies
· 1989 — Grand Prize, Korea National Art Exhibition, for 〈Arirang — A Joyful Day〉
· 1991–1993 — Awards at the 1st Sapporo and 4th–5th Wakayama International Print Biennales
· 1992 — Invited to documenta IX, Kassel, Germany
· Began painting Mt. Geumgang in 1993; visited the mountain over ten times after tourism opened in 1998
· 1998–2024 — Professor, Department of Fine Arts, College of Arts, Kookmin University (retired in 2024)
· 〈Mt. Geumgang from Sangpaldam〉 (2001) was hung at the Peace House for the 2018 inter-Korean summit
· 2017–2019 — President, Korean Contemporary Printmakers Association
· 2018 — 〈Diamond Mountains: Travel and Nostalgia in Korean Art〉, The Metropolitan Museum of Art
· 2024 — 〈Citizen of Kookmin: Shin Jang-sik〉 Special Exhibition, Myungwon Museum, Kookmin University

Career

· 1982 — BFA, Department of Painting (Western Painting), College of Fine Arts, Seoul National University
· 1984 — MFA, Graduate School, Department of Painting (Western Painting), Seoul National University
· 1987–88 — Art Production Coordinator, Seoul Olympics Organizing Committee (Opening & Closing Ceremonies)
· 1998–2024 — Professor, Department of Fine Arts, College of Arts, Kookmin University (retired in 2024)
· 2004–2007 — Dean, College of Arts; Director, Graduate School of Performing Arts, Kookmin University
· 2017–2019 — President, Korean Contemporary Printmakers Association

Awards

· 1989 — Grand Prize, 8th Korea National Art Exhibition, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul
· 1991 — Patron's Prize, 1st Sapporo International Print Biennale, Marui Imai Inc Event Hall, Sapporo
· 1991 — Second Prize, 4th Wakayama International Print Biennale, Wakayama Museum of Modern Art
· 1993 — Second Prize, 5th Wakayama International Print Biennale, Wakayama Museum of Modern Art

Collections

Museums

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea · The British Museum · Gonggan Gallery · Wakayama Museum of Modern Art · Sungkok Art Museum · Kookmin University Museum · Daejeon Museum of Art · Savina Museum of Contemporary Art · Jeju Museum of Contemporary Art · Moran Museum · Korea University Museum · Seoul Museum of Art · Gyeongnam Art Museum · Busan Museum of Art · Gwangju Museum of Art · OCI Museum of Art

Public Institutions

POSCO · Gimpo International Airport · Samsung Medical Center · Korea Arts Council · Seoul National University Hospital · Korea Foundation for International Cultural Exchange · Geochang Cultural Center · Art Bank, Korea · Jeondeungsa Temple · Embassies of the Republic of Korea (Indonesia, Denmark, Ireland, Vietnam)

Government & Other

Seoul Administrative Court · Seoul Eastern District Court · Seoul Southern District Prosecutors' Office · Cheonan Court · Court Officials Training Institute · Boramae Medical Center · Fairmont Ambassador Seoul · Peace House, Panmunjom (Joint Security Area)

Contact (temporary)

sjs@kookmin.ac.kr

* Biography and commentary will be expanded based on the artist's writings.