Collection Exhibition

Ha Jung-woong (1939-), a second-generation Korean-Japanese, on three separate occasions(1933, 1999 and 2003) donated 1,865 pieces he had collected throughout his life to the Gwangju Museum of Art. He was influenced by Jeon Hwa-hwang, a Korean artist living in Japan, and collected works that have the potential to comfort isolated people.

"Prayer" has far-reaching philosophical implications: hoping for the disappearance of war, pressure, and poverty rather than just personal salvation. This is involvers, wishing for the "improvement of human rights" of Korean residents in Japan, "planting a persimmon tree for peace", "peaceful unification" of the Korean peninsula, and "cooperation" between his two homelands, Korea and Japan. It also relates to the philosophy of "May Spirit of Gwangju".

Ha Jung-woong donated his collection to the Gwangju Museum of Art, located near his parents' hometown. Accordingly, Jibasigeo (an art critic in Japan) defines his collection as "prayer, consolation and repose" for the dead, brothers, and the Korean peninsula. The donated works are judged as superior in quality as well as quantity.

Ha's collection contains works by world-famous artists such as Picasso, Rouault, Chagall, Warhol, and Ben Shahn, but works of Korean artists in Japan form the nucleus of the collection. Their works have been almost forgotten in Korean art history, but are now restored to their glory in their homeland. Ha Jung-woong's love for his nation and hometown, and his generous spirit will serve as a precious social and cultural example.