By Lee Kap-soo

 

The 26th World Peace Art Exhibition Award Ceremony was successfully concluded on November 7 at the Hangaram Museum of Art in Seoul, Korea, with an invitational exhibition of World Peace Art leaders and outstanding artists.

 

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 Exhibition 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 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.

 

Delivering congratulatory remarks, Publisher-Chairman Lee Jon-young, who is also chairman of the Diplomacy Journal said, "The 26th World Peace Art Exhibition Awards are presented to leaders who have made efforts to develop cultural and artistic activities. In particular, the Ambassador of Peru to Korea Paul Duclos sponsored many awards for this ceremony. I think it was a meaningful cultural exchange event this year, the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Peru.

 

"We plan to organize a cultural exchange exhibition with Peru in 2024, and I would like to ask all of our artists to make efforts to make it a successful event with submissions of more artistic works next year."

In his congratulatory speech, Peruvian Amb. Paul Duclos said, “It is a great honor to participate in the 26th edition of the World Peace Art Exhibition organized by the Diplomacy Journal. This constitutes a perfect occasion to stop our daily routine while we admire beautiful pieces, full of creativity and talent, and reflect together in how to strengthen peaceful coexistence and solidarity among all, particularly in a current state where international peace confronts serious and deep challenges.

 

 

“I would like to thank to the organizers for this special deference to my country Peru, that in this year 2023, is commemorating 60 years of friendly relations and mutual cooperation with Korea.”

 

Amb. Paul Duclos said, “A 60th anniversary or Hwangap, according to Eastern philosophy constitutes a transcendent milestone and a festive occasion that allows us to glimpse a new period, even more auspicious and fruitful in the years to come.

 

 

“With that positive spirit, I congratulate all participants and judges for deciding to be part of this initiative and unite in the vision of the power of art to heal the spirit, overcome conflicts and promote friendship and understanding. And at the same time, to rethink how to guarantee and promote positive values and cultivate humanity in our societies.”

 

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." 

 

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).

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).