Works by the late painter Seung Dong-pyo, known as "Korea's Cézanne" for his clear-eyed analysis and expressive freedom within Post-Impressionism, including previously little-known pieces, will be available for viewing at the University Museum of Jeonbuk National University (JBNU).

Mr. Seung Su-geun, the painter's son, who works at JBNU, has donated the Western-style paintings he preserved to the University Museum for exhibition, education, and research purposes.

The works Mr. Seung donated this time total 75 pieces, comprising still lifes, portraits, and landscapes painted by the artist between 1955 and 1996.

Mr. Seung decided to donate his father's works because of confidence in the safety of the University Museum's newly constructed storage facilities last year and from a wish for more people to encounter his father's art. After the museum completes its cataloging work, the pieces will be exhibited for students and local residents.

Mr. Seung said, "I have preserved my father's diverse works and wanted them to be used for research and education," adding, "I am pleased that the University Museum at JBNU, with its excellent storage facilities, can ensure both the safety of the works and their accessibility to the public."

Lee Tae-young, Director of the University Museum, said, "We are pleased that, through this valuable donation, the University Museum can present the diverse oeuvre of the late painter Seung Dong-pyo, a treasured local artist," and added, "We hope this donation will help activate a culture of donation for our important cultural assets, large and small, and we ask for strong interest and participation from local residents."

*Who Was Seung Dong-pyo?
Seung Dong-pyo was born in Jeongju, North Pyongan Province. He first drew attention in 1936 while attending Osan High Ordinary School when he won a special prize for "Still Life with a Bouquet" at the 1st All-Joseon Student Art Exhibition. At Osan High School, he received art instruction from teacher Im Pa Im Yong-ryeon alongside peers such as Lee Jung-seop, Moon Hak-su, and Kim Chang-bok. In 1938 he went to study in Japan and graduated from the Western Painting Department of the Tokyo School of Fine Arts. He then served as an art teacher at his alma mater, Osan High School. He moved to the south during the Korean War and lived apart from the art world from his service as an art teacher at Namwon Agricultural School and Jeongeup Middle School in 1951 until his retirement as principal of Gosan Middle School in 1982. In this way he was forgotten by the art world.
Seung Dong-pyo was introduced in 1998 through an exhibition organized by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art to commemorate the opening of the Deoksugung Museum, and in 2006 he became widely known as the opening artist of the MMCA's "Rediscovering Forgotten Artists" exhibition. He has been recognized for establishing a distinctive oeuvre by realizing the clear-eyed analysis and freedom of late Impressionism. In 2006 and 2008, exhibitions held at the Jeonbuk Provincial Museum once again moved audiences in Jeonbuk.