By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee
A special exhibition of New Year's paintings (Sehwa), traditional paintings to ward off evil spirits and wish for good fortune, “Welcome to the New Year” (Byeoksachobok 辟邪招福) will be held at the Museum of Korean Art in Insa-dong, Seoul.
The exhibition is co-hosted by the monthly K-Folk Painting and Diplomacy Journal, the World Peace Art Exhibition Organizing Committee, and the K-Folk Painting Research Institute, and is supported by the UN Journal, Citizen Administration Newspaper, K-Culture, Korea Culture, Damwha Cultural Foundation, K-Culture Promotion Foundation, World Culture Promotion Foundation, and the Korean Masters Association.
Sehwa is a traditional folk paintingthat commemorates the beginning of the new year and is hung on the gate or door of each home to ward off bad luck and bring good fortune.
The exhibition will showcase the colorful symbolism and beauty of these paintings for free. These traditional folk tales, which date back to the Joseon Dynasty, symbolize peace and prosperity through the use of chickens, tigers, peaches, and fish.
Sehwa is not just a decoration, but also has a magical meaning, symbolizing the people's wishes and hopes for the new year.
The exhibition is scheduled to run from January 1-7, 2025, at the 420-square-meter Korea Art Museum on the second floor, and all the works will be simultaneously displayed on the websites of eight newspapers.
Artists interested in participating can submit their works from November 5 to 10, 2024, and 200 works will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis.
“We are continuing to hold international cultural exchange events in cooperation with foreign embassies in Korea to promote Korean culture and sentiment through traditional Korean folk paintings, especially Sehwa,” said Lee Jon-young, publisher of K-Folk Painting.
Through this exhibition, many visitors will be able to feel the warmth of Korea's traditional spirit and wish for a peaceful and happy year ahead.
'Sewhwa' is an exhibition of paintings with the meaning of 'Byeoksachobok 辟邪招福,' which means 'to defeat evil and invite and pray for blessings'.
The steering committee was chaired by Prof. Lee Mi-hyung, and 11 artists, including Kang Kyung-hee, Ko Mi-kyung, Ha Mi-sook, Lee Ji-young, Noh Ji-young, Lee Kyung-ah, Woo Hyun-jin, Kim Eun-mi, Kim Na-eun, Lee Myeong-soon, and Heo Bo-kyung, received letters of appointment as steering committee members.
How to apply / www.webhard.co.kr [ID: wbstf / PW: 5114 / Submit to the 2025 Sehwa Exhibition folder on your web hard drive
