Korean Indigenous Futures: The Art of Kim Bong-Jun 김봉준 판화전: 토착적 미래- K아트, 디아스포라, 세계

The East Asia Library at Stanford University is proud to host a retrospective print exhibition by renowned artist Kim Bong-Jun, titled "Korean Indigenous Futures: The Art of Kim Bong-Jun." This presentation, running from September 29 to December 11, 2026, encapsulates the essence of Korean Minjung (people's) art and highlights Kim's compelling vision of art as a tool for civilizational transformation. The exhibition is curated by Jee-Young Park, Korean Studies Librarian at Stanford, and Jisoo Kim, a professional curator who holds a Master’s degree in Museum Studies from San Francisco State University.

A special reception and performance is scheduled for October 8 at 4:30 pm. This event will feature a conversation with the artist and a captivating Korean mask dance performance (탈춤 t'alch'um) by Kim Bong-Jun and Che Sehyun, a Seattle-based creative director and multidisciplinary artist. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience firsthand the dynamic intersection of contemporary expressions and traditional Korean art forms, rooted in agricultural rituals and folk festivals.
 

“We are deeply honored to welcome Kim Bong-Jun and are grateful for his generous gift of 22 woodblock prints, which together represent a retrospective of his distinguished artistic career, with works dating from 1981 to 2024,” said Michael A. Keller, the Ida M. Green University Librarian. “These donated artworks, featured in the exhibition, will not only commemorate his visit to Stanford but also be available for use in teaching and research in the future.”

Kim Bong-Jun has played a pivotal role in the Korean Minjung art movement for over four decades. His work, which gained prominence during Korea's pro-democracy movement of the 1980s, captures the lives and struggles of ordinary people. Kim’s art extends beyond traditional boundaries, incorporating large-scale hanging banner paintings (걸개그림 kŏlgae kŭrim) that invite public engagement and dialogue. By blending traditional Korean folk art with contemporary methods, Kim's distinctive visual language resonates deeply with themes of resilience, community, and the pursuit of a more just and sustainable future.

The upcoming exhibition illuminates Kim Bong-Jun’s concept of "Indigenous Futures," which represent a vision of the future rooted in traditional folk culture, myths, and ecological values. His work embodies the gesture of "p'owŏl" (포월 抱越), embracing and transcending boundaries. Viewers will be immersed in pieces that engage with critical issues such as ecological conflict, ideological and economic division, and the historical impacts of imperialism and colonialism. This affirmative exploration invites audiences to envision a future where coexistence with nature, animals, and fellow humans is possible, challenging the conflicts that have shaped our world.

On October 21 at 4:30 pm at the East Asia Library, Associate Professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures Dafna Zur will host a book talk featuring The Minjung Art Movement: Decolonization and Democracy in South Korea (Duke University Press, 2026) by Sohl Lee, Associate Professor of Art History at Stony Brook University in New York. Lee has extensively researched Kim Bong-Jun's early activities in the 1970s and 1980s. During the talk, she will discuss the relevance of Kim’s work within the broader context of the Minjung art movement and its significance today.

“I believe that combining the exhibit with the book talk will create a wonderful opportunity to link the event to our library collections and highlight the broader scholarly value of this project,” said Jee-Young Park.

Join us at the East Asia Library for this remarkable exhibition and events that promise to expand our understanding of Korean art and its implications for contemporary society. Don't miss the chance to engage with the vibrant narrative of Kim Bong-Jun, whose art continues to inspire and provoke thought.