The Artistic World of Unbo Kim Ki- Chang (1914–2001) and the Life of Jesus Series: Tradition, Modernity, and Faith in Korean Painting
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15584/setde.2025.18.4Keywords:
Unbo, Unp’o, Chosŏn Art Exhibition, religious painting, The Life of Jesus, folk painting, genre painting, cubism, babosansu, babohwajo, munjado, blue-green landscapes, colour portrait painting, Idang Kim Ŭnho, Uhyang Park Raehyŏn, Korean painting, Eastern painting, National Art Exhibition of the Republic of Korea (Gukjeon), joint exhibition by Husband and WifeAbstract
The article analyses the life and work of Unbo Kim Kich’ang (1914–2001), a representative of modern and contemporary
Korean painting. The paper is divided into three periods, discussing the historical significance of Unbo’s art as well as the
stylistic characteristics of the series entitled The Life of Jesus, created between 1952 and 1953 during his evacuation from
the Korean War. Kim lost his hearing in childhood, yet he overcame his deafness, creating more than 10,000 works over a period
of 65 years. His artistic style oscillated between traditional and modern, Eastern and Western, realism and abstraction. The
thirty-part series The Life of Jesus is a unique sacred painting that not only depicts Christ and his companions as Koreans
but also indigenises history in the space of Korea in the form of late Chosŏn folk paintings. It stands as an example of the
artist’s personal faith, yearning for salvation from the pain of the Korean War, which was then ongoing. This article examines
the iconography, composition, and narrative strategy of the series to uncover the uniqueness of Kim’s paintings and
their formative and historical significance.
Downloads
References
Ch’oe Pyŏngsik, Unbo Kim Kich’ang yesullon yŏn’gu [Studies on the Theory of Art of Unbo Kim Kich’ang], Sŏul: Tongmunsŏn, 1997.
see t’rŏjint’ kŭrin sŭt’a chakka, minjong kuwŏn somang tamŭn t’rpuhwal hut’ [A star painter of the 20th century who painted royal portraits, After the resurrection, expressing the desire/wish for the liberation of the nation], “K’ŭrisŭch’ŏnt’udei” (https://www.christiantoday.co.kr/news/361463).
https://maria.catholic.or.kr/sa_ho/album/album_view.asp?menugubun=saint&infoid=640&id=8001
Lee Chinhŭi, Han’gukchŏng hwap’ungŭro p’yohyŏndoen sŏnghwaŭi chohyŏngjŏng t’ŭkching yŏn’gu [A Study of Religious Painting Forms in the Style of Korean Genre Painting], Master’s thesis, Kyunghee University, 2007.
Lee Chŏngchin, 1970nyŏndae han’gung shilgyŏngsansuhwa yŏn’gu [A Study of Korean Realistic Landscapes of the 1970s], “Han’gukkŭnhyŏndaemisulsahak” (Han’gukk ŭnhyŏndaemisulsahak’oe, 2015), pp. 207–238.
Lee Kyŏngsŏng, ‘Unbojŏn’ e puch’yŏ [Dedicated to Unbo’s Exhibition], in: Unbo Kim Kich’ang chŏnjaktorok V, p. 315.
Haebang ihu haeoe sŏn’gyobuŭi ipkukkwa hwaltong [The Arrival and Activities of Foreign Missionaries after Liberation], “Hyŏndaegidokkyo ch’ongsŏ” 4 kwŏn (Hyŏndaegidokkyoyŏn’guso, 2009.7), pp. 162–214.
Kim Yisoon, 1970 nyŏndae misulgadŭrŭi chŏngch’esŏng ch’atkir t’rhan’gukchŏgin kŏtt’kwa t’rtongyangjŏgin kŏtt’ŭi ch’akchong
[Searching for the Identity of Artists of the 1970s: The Intertwining of “Korean” and “Eastern”], “Misulsayŏn’gu” 39(2020), pp. 213–240. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52799/JAH.2020.12.39.213
Kim Kich’ang, Ch’immugŭi segyeesŏ [In the World of Silence], Sŏul: Minŭmsa, 1976.
Kim Kich’ang, Ch’immugŭi shimyŏnesŏ [In the Abyss of Silence], Sŏul: Pŏpchogak, 1988.
Kim Kich’ang, Ch’immukkwa hamkke yesulgwa hamkke [With Silence, with Art], Sŏul: Kyŏngmimunhwasa, 1978.
Kim Kich’ang, Haebanggwa tongyanghwaŭi chillo [Liberation and the Way of Eastern Painting], “Chohyŏngyesul” 1 Ho (1946.3.30.), pp. 7–8.
Kim Kich’ang, Hwabangyŏjŏk (畫房餘滴)[Drops from the Painting Studio], Sŏul: Hagwŏnsa, 1962.
Kim Kich’ang, Mal, naega chŭlgyŏ kŭrinŭn kkadak [Horses, why I like painting them], “Yŏsŏngdonga” (1980.11), s. 214.
Kim Kich’ang, Minhwaŭi pimil [The Secret of Folk Painting], “Ilgansŭp’och’ŭ” (1976.8.12.).
Kim Kich’ang, Naŭi aho [My artistic pseudonym], in: Hwabangyŏjŏk [Drops from the Painting Studio], Sŏul: Hagwŏnsa 1962, p. 64.
Kim Kich’ang, Naŭi kŭrim naŭi saenggang – ujuro pisanghago p’ŭn kalmang [My images, my thoughts – longing to soar into space], “Hyŏndaein” (1976.4), s. 152.
Kim Kich’ang, Naŭi saranggwa yesul [My Love and Art], Sŏul: Chŏngusa, 1977.
Kim Kich’ang, Naŭi shimhon pach’in kan ssŭn yesuŭi iltaegi [The story of Jesus in a gat, to whom I gave/entrusted my heart and soul/spirit], in: Yesuŭi saengae, Sŏul: Kyŏngmimunhwasa, 1978.
Kim Kyŏngyŏn, 1950 nyŏndae han’gung sumuk’waŭi ch’usangjŏng kyŏnghyang [Abstract Trends in Korean Ink Painting in the 1950s], Master’s thesis, Hongiktaehakkyo Taehagwŏn, 1993.
Kim Michŏng, Unbowa Uhyang, 40 nyŏnmanŭi nadŭri [Unbo and Uhyang, 40 Years of Travels], Unbomisulgwan, 2011.
Kim Miri, Chŏgori ipko yesu ingt’aehasyŏnne, chosŏnŭi Maria [Clad in jeogori and pregnant with Jesus, Mary of Chosŏn], “Chosŏnilbo”, 2014.1.28.
Kim Yongchun, Minjongmunhwa munje [The Question of National Culture], “Shinch’ŏnji” (1947.1), pp. 128–136.
Kim Yongchun, Tongyanghwa, minjokchŏng saekch’ae t’aedong [Eastern Painting, the Birth of National Colours], “Tongailbo” (1949.12.1.).
Kim Sŭngt’ae, Ilche malgiŭi Han’gukkyohoe [Korean Church of the End of the Japanese Occupation], “Han’gukkidokkyowa yŏksa” 2ho (1992.11), pp. 8–21.
Kwimŏgŏri sonyŏn mijŏn ipsŏn, 18seŭi Kim Kich’ang kun, [A deaf boy wins an art exhibition, 18-year-old Kim Kich’ang], “Chosŏnilbo” (1931.5.24.).
Myŏng Kyŏngcha, Unbo Kim Kich’ang hoehwae nat’anan kidokkyojŏng sŏnghyang [Christian Tendencies in Unbo Kim Kich’ang’s Painting], Master’s thesis, Suwon University, 2004.
O Kwangsu, Kim Kich’ang · Pak Raehyŏn: Kurŭm sanae (Unbo)wa piŭi kohyang (Uhyang) [Kim Kich’ang · Pak Raehyŏn: The Man of Clouds (Unbo) and the Hometown of Rain (Uhyang)], Sŏul: Chaewŏn, 2003.
Park Chŏngse, Keil (J. Gale) ŭi T’yŏlloryŏktyŏngkwa kimjun’gŭnŭi p’ungsoksapto [Translation of ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ by J. Gale and illustrations by Kim Chunkŭn], “Shinhangnondan” 60 (Yŏnsedaehakkyo Han’gukkidokkyomunhwayŏn’guso, 2010), pp. 63–91. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17301/tf.2010.60..003
Park Raepu, Han’gugŭi myŏnghwa, hyŏndaesŏngeŭi yŏlchŏng 60nyŏn – Unbo Kim Kich’angŭi pabosansu [Korean Masterpieces, 60 Years of Passion for Modernity – Naive Landscapes by Unbo Kim Kich’ang], “Han’gugilbo” (1992.5.20.).
Pang Sŏngchu · Yang Chunsŏk, 1948nyŏn ‘chonggyoŭi chayu’ chohang chejŏngŭi chŏngch’isa [The political history of the introduction of the ‘freedom of religion’ clause in 1948], “Han’gukchŏngch’ihak’oebo” 53chip 5ho (2019 kyŏul), pp. 101–129. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18854/kpsr.2019.53.5.005
Sim Yŏngok, Chosŏnmisulchŏllamhoe chakp’umŭi chosŏnhyangt’osaeng pip’yŏng yŏn’gu [A Critical Study of the Local Colour of Chosŏn in the Works of the Chosŏn Art Exhibition], “Tongyangyesul” 48 (Han’guktongyangyesurhak’oe, 2020.8), pp. 25–54. DOI: https://doi.org/10.19078/ea.2020.48.2
Sim Yŏngok, Unbo Kim Kich’angŭi Yesuŭi saengae chakp’umŭl t’onghan kidokkyo t’och’ak’wa tamnon [A Treatise on the Indigenisation of Christianity Based on ‘The Life of Jesus’ by Unbo Kim Kich’ang], “Shinhakkwa hangmun” 22.3(2020), pp. 34–66. DOI: https://doi.org/10.56035/tod.2020.22.3.34
Song Pyŏngton, Mijŏn’gwallam [A Visit to the Art Exhibition], “Chosŏnilbo”(1934.6.8.).
Unbo Kim Kich’ang, chŏnjaktorok I–V [The Complete Catalogue of the Works of Unbo Kim Kich’ang I–V], Sŏul: API, 1994.
Unbo Kim Kich’ang, Namgyŏnghwarang, 1976.
Unbo Kim Kich’ang (P’alsun’ginyŏmdaehoegojŏn) [Competition Classics on the Eightieth Birthday], Sŏul: API, 1993.
Unbo Kim Kich’ang sŏnghwajŏn [An Exhibition of Unbo Kim Kich’ang’s religious paintings], Kyŏngmihwarang, 1978.
Unbo Kim Kich’ang, Sŏul: Kyŏngmimunhwasa, 1980.
Unbo Kim Kich’ang, Sŏul: API, 1989.
Unbo Kim Kich’ang, Kaellŏri Hyŏndae, 2000.
Unbo Kim Kich’ang, Sŏul: Kyŏngmich’ulp’ansa, 1980, p. 260.
Yesuŭi saengaer Unbo Kim Kich’angŭi kidokkyo sŏnghwajip [‘The
Life of Jesus’: A Collection of Christian Religious Paintings
by Unbo Kim Kich’ang], Sŏul: Kyŏngmimunhwasa, 1978.
Jezusa Unbo Kim Kich’anga], “Shinhakkwa hangmun”
3(2020), s. 34–66.
Song Pyŏngton, Mijŏn’gwallam [Wizyta na wystawie sztuki],
„Chosŏnilbo”(1934.6.8.).
Unbo Kim Kich’ang, chŏnjaktorok I–V [Katalog kompletny
dzieł Unbo Kim Kich’anga I–V], Sŏul: API, 1994.
Unbo Kim Kich’ang, Namgyŏnghwarang, 1976.
Unbo Kim Kich’ang (P’alsun’ginyŏmdaehoegojŏn) [Konkursowe
klasyki z okazji osiemdziesiątych urodzin], Sŏul: API,
Unbo Kim Kich’ang sŏnghwajŏn [Wystawa malarstwa religijnego
Unbo Kim Kich’anga], Kyŏngmihwarang, 1978.
Unbo Kim Kich’ang, Sŏul: Kyŏngmimunhwasa, 1980.
Unbo Kim Kich’ang, Sŏul: API, 1989.
Unbo Kim Kich’ang, Kaellŏri Hyŏndae, 2000.
Unbo Kim Kich’ang, Sŏul: Kyŏngmich’ulp’ansa, 1980, s. 260.
Yesuŭi saengaer Unbo Kim Kich’angŭi kidokkyo sŏnghwajip [Życie Jezusa: kolekcja chrześcijańskich obrazów religijnych Unbo Kim Kich’anga], Sŏul: Kyŏngmimunhwasa, 1978.
![Kim Kich’ang, Powracający syn marnotrawny, 1952–1953, kolor na jedwabiu, 63,5x76 cm, Kolekcja Soˇulmisulgwan [Muzeum Sztuki w Seulu]](https://journals.ur.edu.pl/public/journals/14/cover_issue_611_pl_PL.jpg)
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Yisoon Kim
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
In line with the Open Access policy, authors retain full copyright to their articles – without restrictions.
Authors can deposit their articles in a repository of their choice.
