Oh Myung-Hee's exhibition links Marilyn Monroe to Korean women's emancipation
South Korean artist Oh Myung-Hee's exhibition 'The Days Were Snowy But Warm' at the European Cultural Centre in Venice (April 23–November 27, 2022) explores women's roles in patriarchal 1950s South Korea through a family photograph showing her grandfather with his wife and concubine. The work juxtaposes a traditional Korean wife, feminist artist Hye-Seok Nah, and a historic photo of Marilyn Monroe performing for US troops in South Korea in February 1954. Monroe's liberating experience—performing in a skimpy dress for over 100,000 soldiers despite her husband Joe Di Maggio's refusal to accompany her—resonated with Korean women. The title quotes Monroe: 'It was snowing but warm, it felt like home.'
Key facts
- Oh Myung-Hee's exhibition 'The Days Were Snowy But Warm' at European Cultural Centre, Venice
- Exhibition runs April 23 to November 27, 2022
- Based on a family photo of artist's grandfather with wife and concubine
- Features traditional Korean wife, feminist Hye-Seok Nah, and Marilyn Monroe
- Monroe performed for US troops in South Korea in February 1954
- Monroe's husband Joe Di Maggio refused to accompany her
- Monroe performed 'Anything Goes' for over 100,000 soldiers
- Monroe divorced Di Maggio eight months later
Entities
Artists
- Oh Myung-Hee
- Hye-Seok Nah
- Marilyn Monroe
Institutions
- European Cultural Centre
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- South Korea
- Japan
- United States