스킵네비게이션

Born 1918 in Busan, Korea

Died 1978 in Busan

LIM Ho, Euljiro 3-ga, October 5, Unknown, Pencil on paper, 20.4×24cm

LIM Ho (LIM Chaewan) is known by his use of simple lines in portraying local and ethnic sentiments in his drawings. He is recognized as one of theimportant legacies in the Korean modern art scene, which was interspersed with Western influences and nationalist contents. LIM was active for only a short period of 20 years from the 1950s to 70s, but has played a crucial role in the establishment of art scenes in Busan, with his involvement in various activities which introduced movements and trends of Busan art scenes to a wider audience. He studied Western painting at the Osaka University of Arts, Japan, andafter the liberation, he returned to Korea and sought to establish his career as an artist.

LIM was introduced to Busan in 1949 through the founding exhibition of the ‘Research Group on Gyeongnam Art,’ established in 1947, and also worked as a military painter along with Suh Sungchan and other fellow artists. In 1953, LIM settled in Busan and took up a teaching post at a high school. He was involved in various activities in Busan’s art scene, including an art movement group, ‘ToByeok’, which he founded with artists in Busan includingthe renowned artists; Kim Gyeong, Kim Youngkyo, Kim Yoonmin, Kim Zongsik, and Suh Sungchan. During this period, LIM constructed a world of Realism on canvas which portrayed local and nationalistic characteristics. It was a response, a resistance towards the heterogeneity in the practice of painters whom evacuated from Seoul. ‘ToByeok’ presented three group exhibitions in the following year of its foundation, only to be dismantled by a disagreement over“(different) ways of interpreting Realism.”

While preparing for his first solo exhibition at Mihwadang Department Gallery (June 17 - 23, 1955), LIM noted, “painting is not merely delivered by an impromptu or the techniques of the hand, but it can only be delivered through an earnest contemplation, through agony and a strenuous effort which can reach the essence of painting’s divine nature,” an idea resonating in the inaugural declaration of ‘ToByeok’ which he founded.

In 1955, along with Kim Bongjin, Kim Zongsik, Sung Backju, and others, LIM presented the July Group Exhibition at AporoDabangin Busan, and worked as a member of various groups including ‘Hyeoktosa,’ ‘Heukma,’ and many more. He has received the ‘Busan Culture Award’ for his solo exhibition at the Busan Public Information Office in 1964, and was actively presented in Busan and Japan. LIM, who enjoyed delivering his personal observations of the cityscapes on canvas, died of hypertension returning from a sketch trip with the members of ‘Sunday Artist Group’ in 1974, at the age of 57. He is still recognized to this date as an important figure within modern art scene of Busan, whom searched for the initiatives of ‘National Art’ with roots to locality and realism.