장우성 張遇聖

East Asian-style painter with the pen name Woljeon, professor at Seoul National and Hongik universities, painter of the standard portrait of Yi Sun-sin (listed in the Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators)

Life & career

Jang U-seong (張遇聖, 1912-2005), pen name Woljeon (月田), was a Korean-style painter of the Danyang Jang clan. He was born in Chungju, North Chungcheong, is said to have spent his infancy briefly in Danyang, and grew up in Yeoju, Gyeonggi. After studying classical Chinese he entered the painter Kim Eun-ho's studio.

He debuted in 1932 with 'Seen at the Seashore' at the Joseon Art Exhibition and became a recommended artist there in 1944. After liberation he taught as professor at Seoul National University and Hongik University, trained many students and served as a member of the National Academy of Arts. He is known for a style of simple lines and open space, with 'Dance' counted as a representative work; he painted figures, landscapes and still lifes, and cranes and egrets were frequent subjects. He is also said to have painted a modern portrait of a woman holding a mobile phone at 90, in 2001.

Among state-designated portraits he painted the first Korean standard portrait, that of Admiral Yi Sun-sin, and also the government standard portrait of Yu Gwan-sun, which drew calls for replacement and was remade after his death in 2005. He received the Silver Crown Order of Cultural Merit in 1976 and the Gold Crown in 2001.

In 2008 he was named among the art-field candidates for the Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators by the Institute for Research in Collaborationist Activities. The dictionary cited his attempt to submit 'Fudo Myoo' to the colonial-era Peninsula Home Front Art Exhibition and an acceptance in the Decisive Battle Art Exhibition. He is not on the government's list of pro-Japanese collaborators; some argue that his work 'Prayer' expressed a wish for national independence, his descendants objected, and a 2009 injunction request by descendants to stop publication was reported to have been rejected. As his reputation is contested, readers are encouraged to compare sources.

Origins and Training

He was born in Chungju, is said to have spent his infancy in Danyang and grew up in Yeoju. After studying classical Chinese he trained in Korean-style painting under Kim Eun-ho.

Career and Style

He debuted by selection at the 1932 Joseon Art Exhibition and became a recommended artist in 1944. After liberation he taught at Seoul National and Hongik universities and left works such as 'Dance' in a style of simple lines and open space.

Standard Portraits and Honors

He painted the first standard portrait, that of Yi Sun-sin, and also a portrait of Yu Gwan-sun; replacement of both was later discussed. He received the Silver Crown (1976) and Gold Crown (2001) Orders of Cultural Merit.

The Collaboration Controversy and Assessment

He is listed in the Dictionary of Pro-Japanese Collaborators in the art field, citing an attempt to submit 'Fudo Myoo' and an acceptance in the Decisive Battle Art Exhibition. He is not on the government's collaborator list, and some read his work as a prayer for independence. Requests in 2010 and 2017 to de-designate the Yi Sun-sin standard portrait were reported to have been turned down by the Ministry of Culture.

Grave

The tomb location was not confirmed here. The Icheon City Woljeon Museum of Art bears his name.

Descendants

Private family details are not covered here; only the reported fact that descendants brought the 2009 injunction request is confirmed.

Other 단양 장씨 figures