Inside North Korea's State-Controlled Art World: Ranking, Propaganda, and Rare International Exhibitions
In a report by Giorgia Cestaro for Artribune, North Korea's artistic landscape is examined, where artists undergo evaluations every three years based on their production, participation in exhibitions, and conduct. Those who excel can achieve honors such as Merited Artist and aim for the prestigious Kim Il Sung Prize, although recognition does not necessarily lead to financial gain. The Pyongyang University of Fine Art emphasizes traditional artistic practices, mandating that all works conform to the Workers' Party and Juche ideology, which prohibits abstract art. Established in 1959, the Mansudae Art Studio is the largest of its kind worldwide, employing around 4,000 individuals. Notable international exhibitions include the 2010 MAK Vienna event and the 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale, as Western interest in the limited art market continues to grow.
Key facts
- North Korean artists are ranked from 5 (lowest) to 1 (highest) every three years.
- Top titles include Merited Artist, People's Artist, and the Kim Il Sung Prize.
- Pyongyang University of Fine Art is the most prestigious art school.
- Abstract and conceptual art are banned; art education stops at Impressionism.
- Mansudae Art Studio, founded in 1959, is the world's largest art studio at 120,000 sqm with 4,000 employees.
- In 2009, Australian authorities denied visas to North Korean artists for the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art.
- The 2014 Venice Architecture Biennale joint Korean pavilion won the Golden Lion.
- Nicholas Bonner's project 'The Beautiful Future' went viral in China with over 300 million social media users.
- Architects Cristiano Bianchi and Kristina Drapić published 'Model City: Pyongyang'.
- Most collectors of North Korean art are Chinese; Western interest is growing for chosonhwa and monumental works.
Entities
Artists
- Im Hyok
- Hong Jong Won
- Pak Hyo Song
- Son U Yong
- Choe Chang Ho
- Kim Guang Nam
- Yi Sang
- Minsuk Cho
- Nicholas Bonner
- Cristiano Bianchi
- Kristina Drapić
- Peter Noever
- Beth McKillop
- G. Muhn
- Kim Jong Il
- Kim Jong Un
- Kim Il Sung
- Dominic Johnson-Hill
Institutions
- Koryo Studio
- Koryo Tour
- Pyongyang University of Fine Art
- Mansudae Art Studio
- MAK – Museum of Applied Arts / Contemporary Art (Vienna)
- Korean Art Gallery (Pyongyang)
- Paektusan Academy of Architecture
- Queensland Modern Art Gallery (Brisbane)
- Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art
- Victoria and Albert Museum (London)
- Georgetown University (Washington)
- Gwangju Biennale
- House of Illustration (London)
- Hongik University Daehangno Arts Center (Seoul)
- Art Labor Gallery (Shanghai)
- Taipei Museum of Fine Arts
- Leeds Metropolitan University
- BBC
- VMS Productions
- Biennale di Venezia
- Studio ZAG
- University of Architecture (Pyongyang)
- University of Construction (Pyongyang)
- Artribune
Locations
- North Korea
- DPRK
- Pyongyang
- China
- Beijing
- Seoul
- South Korea
- Incheon
- Vienna
- Austria
- Brisbane
- Australia
- London
- United Kingdom
- Washington
- United States
- Gwangju
- Shanghai
- Taipei
- Taiwan
- Venice
- Italy
- Rome
- Tuscany
- Pienza
- Urbino
- Brasilia
- Chandigarh
- Mirae Scientist Street (Pyongyang)
- Kim Il Sung Square (Pyongyang)
- Electronics Industry Hall (Pyongyang)