By Kim Ji-eun

The 26th World Peace Art Exhibition concluded its first phase with a total of 350 works on display from August 23-28, 2023, at the Maru Art Center Underground Special Hall in Insadong, Seoul.

▲ "Iris II" by Artist Jung Ji-ah (Grand Prize Winner, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award)

The World Peace Art Exhibition, which is celebrating its 26th edition this year, is positioned as a unique art event that can flexibly develop discourses on the environment, ecology, life, civilization, society, science, and thought based on its unique environment.

The 26th World Peace Art Prize Award Ceremony, which is held annually with the aim of contributing to the promotion of world peace and international exchange through art and culture, was held on August 28 at Maru Art Center in Insadong, Seoul, with the participation of organizers, many domestic and foreign guests and artists, including Chairman Lee Jon-young of the Organizing Committee of the World Peace Art Exhibition, Chairman Park Cheol-gyu of the Steering Committee of the World Peace Art Exhibition, and Chairman of the Jury Lee Yeon-sook.

▲ Artists who participated in the 26th World Peace Art Exhibition gathered together for a commemorative photo. (Photo by Kim Hak-young)

Delivering his congratulatory remarks, Chairman Lee Jon-young said, "As stated in the preface of UNESCO, war begins in the human heart, so the defense of peace must be built in the hearts of the people." He said that he will do his utmost to promote world peace and international cultural exchange through culture and art, and that he will do his best to support the event to deepen the meaning of the competition once again through the "World Peace Art Competition Leaders Invitation Exhibition" to be held from November 1 to November 9.

He also said that the 27th World Peace Art Exhibition in 2024 will be held at KEPCO Art Center (planned) around August.

▲ Works exhibited at the 26th World Peace Art Exhibition

Jung Ji-ah, who was selected as this year's overall grand prize winner, is a full-time artist who majored in color at Hongik University Graduate School, said, "I loved drawing and was satisfied with the people who liked my drawings, but it's nice to receive such a big prize, and I feel the weight of the prize is great. I would like to thank my family and many people for their praise and encouragement, and above all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the judges for their careful consideration," she said.

▲ Works exhibited at the 26th World Peace Art Exhibition

Park Cheol-gyu, chairman of the steering committee, vowed that next year's 27th World Peace Art Exhibition will be a more in-depth and authoritative representative cultural event, and that the art ecosystem will be further strengthened with works by more talented artists, creating an exhibition program that shares the value of culture and art with art lovers.

The winner of the Overall Grand Prize (Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award), Jung Ji-ah, a full-time artist who majored in color at Hongik University Graduate School and is currently serving as the vice president of the Hongik Art Association.

▲ Artist Jung Ji-ah poses with her work that won the grand prize.

The Grand Prize (Seoul Mayor's Award) includes the western painting non-figurative Choo Dae-sik (COVER), figurative Lee Sang-deok (Relationship), Kang Kyung-hee (Senjangsaeng).

The Best Prize (President of the Federation of Artistic & Cultural Organization of Korea) went to Lee Jin-kyung (Yellow House by the Sea), Jeon Byung-hee (Flower of Heart Bloom), Woo Sang-im (Brilliant Zoom), Kim Jung-hoon (Bonghwangdo 1), Lee Eun-soon (Insatiable thirst), Lim Kyung-in (Peace).

▲ Visitors at the exhibition center.

The winner of Special Prize is Yeon Ji-sung (Pine Tree-Cherry Blossom Day) and the winners of Excellent Prize are Park Joon-gu (Rain-Soyoyu), Lee Haeng-im (PROSPERITY), Cho Soo-kyung (Stretch), Ji Young-rang (Breath from the Memory), Song Kang (King's encounter), Lee Oh-sun (Fire of the Sun), Park Kyung-mi (Gleeful Pillow), Kim Jeong-ok (Fall of Gongjak Mountain), Jeong So-yeon (Dreaming Tree), Yoon Tae-kyung (Spring Afternoon), Cho Myoung-ok (Magpie Tiger), Park Hyun-jung (Hwacho Gilsangdo), Lee Chae-yoon (Eoram Gwaneum Bodhisattva), Lee Ju-young (Morando), Lee Hwa-ja (Chaekgado), Jeong Hee-sun (Eagle), Kim Joseph (Eohaedo), Cho Hye-sun (Morando), Lee Mak-rae (Unhae), Ko Eun-seo (Past), Kwon In-soon (Bright house), Lim Min-seok (Dance), Lee Yeon-sook (Work), Cho Sung-gu (Sunset), Kim Hyung-jun (Palpitate), Kim Jong-moon (Beautiful every day), Yoo Young-rae (Moonlight), Jeong Mi-ja (Maehwa), Park Hyun-young (Jungle), Heo Yong-sook (Dandelion), Kim Da-yeon (Goeunseonsaengsi), Joo Nan-sook (Prayer).

▲ Various works on display at the World Peace Art Exhibition hall.

This year, the World Peace Art Exhibition is divided into Part 1 and Part 2. There are high expectations for the World Peace Art Competition Leader's Invitational Exhibition, which will be held at the Hangaram Art Museum in the Seoul Arts Center in November.

▲ Artworks displayed at the World Peace Art Exhibition hall.

 
The award ceremony will be carried out at the World Peace Art Competition Leaders and Outstanding Artists Invitational Exhibition to be held at the Seoul Arts Center on November 7.