Kim Song-gun (Korean김성근; born 1945) is a North Korean painter. He works at the Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang.

Kim Song-gun
Born1945 (age 78–79)
Chonma County, North Pyongan, Korea
NationalityNorth Korean
EducationPyongyang University of Fine Arts
Known forpainting, watercolor
Notable workWaves of the Sea Kumgang
Awards1999: People's Prize for Waves of the Sea Kumgang
Kim Song-gun
Chosŏn'gŭl
김성근
Hancha
金成根
Revised RomanizationGim Seong-geun
McCune–ReischauerKim Sŏng'gŭn

Life edit

Kim was born in 1945. He initially worked as a blacksmith for 3 years. After his military service, he started working for the Mansudae in 1971, and studied at Pyongyang University of Fine Arts from 1972 to 1975.[1]

Work edit

 
Kim Jong-il and Vladimir Putin shakes hands in front of Waves of the Sea Kumgang in 2000.

Kim Song-gun is also called "Painter of the Waves" since he mostly paints sea and river sceneries with thunderous waters. Despite a very realistic depiction the paintings carry a subtle kind of modern abstraction achieved through the dramatic presentation of the waves.[2] One of those paintings, Waves of the Sea Kumgang, was noticed internationally due to a photo from Bill Clinton's state visit to North Korea in 2009 showing him sitting next to Kim Jong-il with the large green waves painting in the background.[3]

Awards edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ "김성근". cybernknet.
  2. ^ Ruthe, Ingeborg. "My image of the Week (Mein Bild der Woche)". Berliner Zeitung. Retrieved 28 August 2012.
  3. ^ "Bill Clinton's North Korea Rescue Mission". TIME Magazine. 5 August 2009. Archived from the original on 8 August 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2009.
  4. ^ "KIM Song Gun". galerie son. Retrieved 7 October 2015.

External links edit