Individuality in Korean Art

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Individuality in Korean Art

Considering the ancient art of Korea, unfortunately, not much is known. The country of Korea has been constantly shaped and reshaped by existing civilizations, namely, China. Korea's vulnerability geographically, has made Korea constantly throughout history open to many influences- namely China. Despite this overwhelming influx of alien influence from China, Korea's art forms indeed had maintained it's individuality. The Chinese and Korean peoples are very different; ethnically, and culturally. Therefore, even though Korea did attempt to mimic styles from the Chinese, it still maintained it's overall individualistic forms. In my paper I would like to emphasize the marked individuality of Korea. That throughout Korea's art history, Korea was not just another, "Chinese province."

Understanding the Korean people is important in understanding the individual nature of their art throughout time. Ethnically, the Korean people are a mixture of central Asian tribes, settling down, during the Neolithic times, on the peninsula of Korea. These tribes mixed with an already existing people, the jomons, a Caucasoid people. The uniqueness in this mixture can be seen in it's early Neolithic art. like its pottery with combed surfaces; typically found in Siberian areas, and rarely found in China. Koreans during the Neolithic times, have constructed dolmens. "These dolmens offer further confirmation of the north Asian origin of the early Korean peoples, especially since they are encountered frequently in northern Asia but have not been found in China." (3, Moes) It was this originating factor that founded the unique fundamental culture of Korea, "...early tribes from Manchuria, Mongolia and Siberia were the main a...

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... been shaped, by the likes of the Chinese culture, however, the Korean people, have kept its distinct art. It eloquently expresses the qualities of the land and its people When free from the entire need to imitate. Chinese models, Korean art abounds in vitality, directness, strength, joy and a beguiling naivet*. Unpretentious, directness, ruggedness, spontaneity, and appeal as well as uniqueness." (Moes, 20) Like its people, Korean art mirrors and fuses its past present and future, allowing distinct external influences, but always, undoubtedly allowing its originating self shine through. Through its indigenous central Asian origins to its influence from the Chinese, to inevitable Westernization.

Works cited:

Moes, Robert J. Korean Art. Universe Books, New York; 1987.

Swann, Peter C. Art of China, Korea and Japan. Frederick A. Praeger, Inc., New York; 1963.

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