Contemporary North Korean Art: The Evolution of Social Realism

The art of North Korea remains largely unknown to the outside world, apart from kitschy propaganda posters sold to tourists. And yet, art is huge in North Korea, where the state-run Mansudae Art Studio is home to the world’s largest government-supported art community. In a country where propaganda is paramount, the question looms: Is there “art for art’s sake” in North Korea? Is all of the art produced in North Korea entirely propaganda? And what can we learn about North Korea and party policy from the artwork produced at the state’s behest? In an unprecedented exhibition of its kind in the United States, works by artists from North Korea’s premiere art studio will make their U.S. debut at the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center from June 18-August 14, 2016.

Join the Hyundai Motor–Korea Foundation Center for Korean History and Public Policy for a discussion about the contemporary art of North Korea with exhibition curator BG Muhn of Georgetown University. Prof. Muhn, an acclaimed artist himself, will share insights gained from years of field visits to Pyongyang and interviews with artists and art historians in North Korea. Get behind the scenes in the making of North Korea’s propaganda art with photos of the artists at work on creating some of North Korea’s distinctive collaborative pieces.

Speaker:

• BG Muhn, Professor, Georgetown University, artist and curator

Introduction By:

• James Person, Deputy Director, History and Public Policy Program, Wilson Center

Moderated By:

• Jean H. Lee, Global Fellow, Wilson Center