User:Suyeon

Korean artists in Canada

Lord Byng Secondary School COM11 Block: B                                                              Su-Yeon Jang

Many businesses in Korea and Canada are expanding and growing. For this project, I had been researching the Korean artists who are active in Canada. This profile will explore how Korean artists assimilate into Canadian society as well as look at the relationship between the artists of two countries. It is difficult to say how many Korean artists are producing art in the Lower Mainland because many are not fulltime artist but are amateurs, working at their craft in addition to other careers. There are many professional Korean artists working in a variety of mediums in the Lower Mainland: 50 visual artists, 30 musicians, 8 dancers, 3 film actors, 12 theater artists and 22 martial arts performers. These people have gotten  exposure in the Lower Mainland through performances and exhibitions. A “regular performance” is one which is performed by every year. In contrast “occasional performance” is only performed for “special events”. An example of “occasional performance” is the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between Korea and Canada. This commemoration features performances by many different Korean artists. There are various kinds of musical artist in Lower Mainland. For example, some play a traditional instrument called a Ka-Ya-Kum (Korean Harp). Others play similar looking instrument also harp, is often called a Ko-Mun-ko. Korean classical music is played on these instruments. There are a number of groups in Vancouver who perform Korean Dance forms as well. There as three main genres: classical dance, modern dance and Tal-Chum, a traditional Korean dance form. Turning our attention to Dramatic Arts, “Han-Wo-Ri” is a different type, a Korean Traditional Drama Club that gives performances in Vancouver. Ta- Kwon-Do is another performance art that is sponsored by the Korean Community in Vancouver. It is difficult to say which group of artists is certain there a vibrant artistic community which is enjoyed by many people in Vancouver. It is though on artists to develop well the talents without regard to nationality or a language. The acceptance of these performers’ by the Canadian Public is often mediated by proficiency in English. For instance, vocal music especially requires a high level of English ability. As a result, a majority of musicians who are active professionally are instrumentalists. Lucile Chug is active in Montreal as a Piano player and Pillow Seuk is a conductor and advisor in Vancouver as a Ka-Ya-Kum player. Cloud Choi is a Calgary composer of New Age music. There are large number of ideas exchanged between Korean artists and Canadian artists. Moreover, they often act in co-operation as a group. Artists share skills and knowledge on the stage, in the gallery, and in the concert hall. Korean Cellist Myung-Wha Chung in going to have a performance in Vancouver festival this summer and Su-Mi jo’s vocal in music performance will be held in the Orpheum. The Federation Gallery in Granville Island is planning to have a display of Korean and Canadian Art. This will be held from 13th to 25th of May. When Canada and Korea start to accept each other’s culture, one requirement is reciprocal understanding. For example, a few Korean writers are active in Canada. On the other hand, not many visual artists belong to Canadian Galleries. There are three exceptions: Hee-Chae Park in the Winsor Gallery in Vancouver who works in oil and You-Mi Park in the Howe Street Gallery who works as a water color painter. A number of Korean artists try to acquaint them with Canadian society and assimilate. However, it is pretty hard because of the difference in language. As a result, many Korean artists have a difficult time establishing a career or getting a job in their field of art. Historically artists as a group struggle with poverty. Art is the language of the whole world. Most people when they listen to music or appreciate a piece of artwork feel that their mind is brightened and their emotions are enriched. Art is a product of a sprit. The totems of Native people demonstrate this fact. As we know the Native people’s sprits are displayed on the totem. There is a similar cultural inheritance from Korean ancestors as well. From this project, I learned that art is a geed means of reciprocal understanding between eastern and western cultural perceptions. Also, art is beneficial for engaging people’s interests in the universal value of human beings.