Personal History

Personal History Byun Shi Ji

PERSONAL HISTORY(1926-1985)

1926

Born at Sohong Dong, Sogwipo City, Cheju Do on 29 May. He became the fourth son among five sons and four daughters between his father, Byun Tae-yoon and his mother, Lee Sa-hee.

1931

Moved to Japan with his father when he was six.

1932

Entered the Osaka Hanazona Primary School. His talent was the envy of all his friends. He was good at traditional wrestling. His leg happened to be injured in fierce wrestling with a senior student, which motivated him to enter an art school after graduation from middle school.
Got a prize from the Children's part of the Osaka Art Exhibition, sponsored by Osaka City.

1942

Entered the Department of Oil Painting in the Osaka Fine Arts School. He, there, met some Korean friends such as lm Ho, Yun Che-chon, Pek Yong-su, Song Yong-ok and Yang In-ok. His works, of these school days, which still remain are 'A Farm House' of size No. 50 (1943), 'Self-portrait' (1944) and 'A Nude Woman' (1945).

1945

Moved to Tokyo, the capital of Japan and was taught under Terauchi Manjiro, who was a member of the Japan Arts Academy after graduation from the Osaka Fine Arts School.
Entered the Department of French in Athenee Francais and finished the five-year course.

1947

Participated first in the thirty-third Kofukai Exhibition and got a prize with 'Winter Tree A and B'. Got a First-prize in the Japanese National Arts Exhibition, sponsored by the Ministry of Education, with'Femme'.

1948

Got a golden prize in the thirty-fourth Kofukai Club Exhibition. He was recorded as the youngest artist to be awarded the first prize in the club history, spotlighted by N.H.K. (the Japanese Broadcasting System) causing a sensation in Japan.The presented works were 'Woman in a Beret', 'Woman Who Has a Mandolin', 'Early Spring'and 'Landscape of Autumn'.
Was recommended as a regular member of the Kofukai Club in the general meeting.
Participated in the Japanese National Arts Exhibition with 'Portrait of Man'.

1949

Presented 'Rest' and 'Man Who Has a Violin' to the thirty-fifth Kofukai Exhibition, as a judge.
Participated first in the second United Exhibition of Art Clubs, with 'Image', which was sponsored by the Japan Mainiji Newspaper.
Held his first Exhibition at Ginza, Siseido Gallery in Tokyo, from 7 to 1 1, April.

1950

Presented 'White House & Black House' to the Third United Exhibition of Art Clubs. He happened to have an opportunity to talk with Japanese Dennoheika (Emperor of Japan) who visited the exhibition.
Became a judge of the thirty-sixth Kofukai Exhibition and presented 'Portrait of Seated Woman'.
Presented 'Afternoon' to the Japanese National Arts Exhibition.

1951

Held his second exhibition at Ginza, Siscido Gallery in Tokyo.
Became a jude of the thirty-seventh Kofukai Exhibition and presented 'Portrait of Nemo'.
Participated in the Japanese National Arts Exhibition with 'Portrait of Old Man'.

1952

Presented 'A Book & Woman' as a judge, to the thirty-eighth Kofukai Club Exhibition.
Presented 'Woman' to the Japanese National Arts Exhibition.

1953

Held his third exhibition at the Osaka Hankyu Department Store Gallery.
Participated in the thirty-ninth Kofukai Club Exhibition with 'A Lamp & Woman'.
Presented 'White House & Woman' to the Japanese National Art Exhibition.

1954

Presented 'Portrait of Mr. K', of size No. 50, to the fortieth kofukai Club Exhibition. He stayed at Kusazii hot spring for rest and recuperation.

1955

Participated in the forty-first Kofukai Club Exhibition with 'Buildings and Road', of size No. 50.

1956

Presented 'Three Nudes', of size No. 50, to the forty-second Koftikai Club Exhibition.

1957

Wrote an article about movement of modern at 1 in the International Times of Japan on 27 September
Returned to Korea and took residence at Tongsung,Dong, Seoul on 15 November.

1958

Held his fourth exhibition at the Whashin Department Store Gallery.
Painted many portraits from models such as Yun Il son (President of Seoul National University),Kim Yon-jung (President of H2(nyang University),Shin Te-whan (President of Seoul National Uni versity), Lee Yang-ha (Dean of Seoul National University), Kwon Chung-hui (President of Seoul National University), Kim Son-gi (Assistant Secretary of Education Ministry), Pyun Shi-min(Dean of Cheju National College), Pak In-chul(Principal of Mapo High School), (Professor of lwha Woman's University), Yuk Chi-su and Chang Yong-suk (Professors of lwha Woman's University).

1959

Held his fifth exhibition under the patronage of Mapo High School at the Central Information Center Gallery.
Taught students in Mapo High School.
Was invited as a judge to the World Student Art Exhibition sponsored by the Ministry of Education.

1960

Started as the Chairman of the Department Fine Arts in Sorabol Arts College.Supervised the first Campus Art Exhibition of the Dept. of Fine Arts.
Married Lee Hak-sook, who majored in traditional painting in the Seoul National University, on 19 April.

1961

Participated in the forty-seventh Kofukai Club Exhibition with 'Landscape of Summer', of size No. 20.
His first daughter was born on 9 February.

1962

Participated in the forty-eighth Kofukai Exhibition, held at Ueno Gallery in Tokyo, With 'Outskirts of Seoul" of size No. 10.
Presented 'Family', of size No. 120, to the International Free Art Exhibition, held at the Kyongbok Palace Art Museum.

1963

Presented 'portrait of Woman' to the forty-ninth Kofukai Club Exhibition (the model was Mrs.Chang Yong-sook, wife of Mr. Lee Yang-ha, Dean of Seoul National University).
His first son, Joung Hoon, was born.

1964

Presented 'Family' to the fiftieth Kofukai Club Exhibition, which took its model from the family of Mr. Shin Te-whan.
Drew 'Breaking up Darkness of Land' by pen, with poet, Kim Sam, in the initial number of the Korea Economic Newspaper.
Gave lectures to students and taught art in the L.M.T.C. Institute, which was located in Chongno 4-Ga.
His second daughter, Joung-son, was born.

1965

Presented 'Biwon Pando Pond', of size No. 30, to the fifty-first Kofukai Exhibition, held at Tokyo Art Museum.
Participated in the ninth Shingi Club Exhibition which was held at the Shinmun Hall, with 'Pando Pond', of size No. 30, and 'Chondok Pavilion', of size No. 40.
Presented 'Autumn' to the Korean Artist Association Exhibition.

1966

Presented 'Autumn in Pando Pond' to the Malaysia Art Exhibition, after being invited by the Korean Government.
Participated in the Shingi Club Exhibition with 'Puyong Pavilion'.
Presented 'Old Tree in Biwon' to the fifty-second Kofukai Exhibition.
Presented 'Road' to the Korean Artists' Association Exhibition.
Made 'Autumn of My Hometown' in Chinese ink with poet, Kim Kwang-hyop, in the Seoul News-paper on 6 October.
His book, 'New Art', was published by the Kwan-dong Publishing Company.

1967

Presented 'Biwon Pando Pond' to the Shingi Club Exhibition.
Participated in the Invitation Exhibition of Korean Active Artists, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture & Information, at the National Modern Art Museum, with 'Landscape'.
Presented 'Landscape seen from Toksu Palace', of size No. 40, to the fifty-third Kofukai Club Exhibition at Tokyo Art Museum.
His painting in Chinese ink, 'Night Falls in My hometown', co-worked with Byun Shi-min's writing, was printed in the Hankuk Daily News-paper on 4 December.

1968

Visited Japan as a representative of the Internaional Art Education Association.
Presented 'Korean Biwon Seungje Pavilion', of size No. 40, to the fifty-fourth Kofukai Exhibition.
Sent 'Pando Pond', of size No. 30, to the ShingiClub Exhibition.

1969

Exhibited 'Biwon Chondok Pavilion', of canvas size No. 30, on the fifty-fifth Kofukai Exhibition.

1970

Submitted 'Landscape of Autumn' to the sixteenth Shingi Club Exhibition at the NationalInformation Center.
Participated in the fifty-sixth Kofukai Exhibition with 'Road', of canvas size No. 40.

1971

Held his sixth exhibition, showing up eighteen works, at Fuji Gallery in Japan.
Exhibited 'Landscape of Country' at the Opening Exhibition of the Chosun Hotel Gallery.
Participated in the fifty-seventh Kofukai Exhibition with 'Aeyon Arbor', of canvas size No. 100.
Submitted 'Palgak Arbor' to the Shingi Club Exhibition.
Participated in the Masterpiece Exhibition of Modern Art sponsored by the Fuji Gallery in Japan, with 'Biwon'.

1972

Invited to the Korean Famous Artists Exhibition, sponsored by the Fuji Gallery, and submitted 'Landscape of Biwon'. The participants were Lee Chong-woo, Kim In-seung, Kim Suk-jin, Do Sang-bong, Pak Teuk-sun, Kim Ki-chang, Son Kyong-song, Pak Yong-son, Chang Un-sang and Byun Shi Ji.
Participated in the Modern Leading Artists Exhibiton 'Greenness'.
Exhibited 'Landscape of Sogwipo A' at the fifty-eighth Kofukai Club Exhibition.
Submitted 'Landscape of Biwon' to the Shingi Club Exhibition.
Established 'House of Artists' which contained his gallery and atelier at Tonam Dong, Seoul.

1973

Participated in the fifty-ninth Kofukai Exhibition at Tokyo Art Museum, with 'Landscape of Autumn', of canvas size No. 20.
Submitted 'Old Palace' to the Shingi Club Exhibition.
Participated in the Asia Art Exhibition, with 'Snowscape of an Old Palace'.

1974

Took part in the Korean Great Artists Exhibition, sponsored by the Osaka Goryo Gallery.The participants were Do Sang- bong, Kim In-seung,Byun Shi Ji, Pak Yong-son, and Kim Ki-chang.
Began to give a lecture about aesthetics and Actual Teaching at the Department of Fine Art Educationin Hanyang University.
Participated in the twenty-first Shingi Club Exhibition, at Art Hall.
Established the Oriental Art Club on 22 December,which aimed to revive our traditional painting style through oil painting. He was elected president.
Participated in the Asia Art Exhibition.
Submitted 'Mt. Halla' to the sixty Kofukai Exhibition.

1975

Supervised the Exhibition of the Oriental Art Club, celebrating the first birth day of the club at the National Information Center. The participants were Kim In-su, Pak Cliang-bok, Pak Song-che, An Pyong-yon, Yun Yo-man, Lee Myong-shik,Lee Song-gun, Lee Seung-man, lm Yong-yol, and Cho Chong-gil. Terauchi Manjiro, member of the Japanese Arts Academy, and Byun Shi ji was specially invited.
Got an opportunity to teach Aesthetics, Arts Theory, Art Criticism and Actual Teaching at the Dept. of Fine Art Education in Cheju National University.
Was appointed an advisor of the Cheju Artist Association.
Participated in the sixty-first Kofukai Exhibition, with 'Landscape of Sogwipo'.
Moved to Cheju City.
Specially submitted to The Second Exhibition of Oriental Art Club at Art Hall.
Participated in the Korean Great Artists Exhibition, sponsored by the Osaka Goryo Gallery, with Do Sang-bong, Kim In- seung, Pak Ok-sun, Ch'on Ch'il-bong, Oh Seung-woo, Kim Wha-gyong, Chang li-sok and Kim Suk-jin.

1976

'Landscape of Oido', which was submitted by invitation to the Cheju Art Exhibition, was sent to the Cheju Daily Newspaper Company.
Participated in the Asia Art Invitation Exhibition, with 'Autumn of Old Palace'.
Moved to 3-Do 2-Dong, Cheju City.
Submitted 'Snowscape of Old Palace' to the sixty- second Kofukai Exhibition.

1977

Exhibited 'Pyoldobong' and 'Mun Island' in the Professors of Cheju National University Exhibition.
Moved to Sa-dong 507, Chewon APT, Yon Dong,Cheju City.
Participated in the sixty-third Kofukai Exhibition with 'Island in Autumn'.
Submitted 'Snowscape of Nt. Halla' and 'Landscape at Sarabong' to the Exhibition of Sixteen, sponsored by the Cheju Artist Association.
Participated in the third Exhibition of Oriental Art Club, at the Central Information Center.

1978

Held his seventh exhibition with his wife, Lee Hak- suk.
Submitted 'Sea Village' to the Cheju Art Exhibition, by invitation.
Submitted 'Waiting' and 'Landscape of Island' to the Cheju Artist Association Exhibition.
Exhibited 'Nude Woman' and 'Landscape of Evening Sea' in Art Exhibition sponsored by the Cheju Artist Association.
Held his eighth exhibition by invitation of the monthly Magazine "Art & Life", at Sanho Hall.

1979

Exhibited forty works, including 'Landscape of Village' and 'A Horse & Girl', in his ninth exhibition at Dongdok Gallery.
Participated in the Professors of Cheju National University Exhibition, with 'Old Tree' and 'Image', which were in the possession of Mr. Yang Kyong-ho.
Submitted 'Deep Sea' to the Cheju Art Exhibition by invitation.
Held his tenth exhibition at Sanho Hall, in Cheju.
Participated in the Sixty-Fifth Exhibition of Kofukai Club, held in Tokyo Art Museum, with 'Landscape of Cheju Island'.
Submitted 'Breaking Blue Waves' and 'Kind' to the Cheju Artist Association Exhibition.
Moved to A-304, Faculty APT, Cheju National University.

1980

Exhibited thirty oil paintings including 'Wreck', at the Tamra Gallery in Cheju, which was his eleventh Exhibition.
Wrote 'New Spring-My Plan', with his painting, in the Cheju Daily Newspaper on 24 March.
Presented 'Waiting', of canvas size No. 100, to the Cheju Artist Association Exhibition, which was in possession of the Cheju Munwha Broadcasting Company.
Participated in the sixty-sixth Kofukai Exhibition. with 'Lonely Island of Southern Country'.
Showed 'Worry', in the Professors of Cheju National University Exhibition.
Participated in the Invitation Exhibition celebrating the opening of Namyang Gallery, with 'Heavy Wind', of No. 30, which is in possession of Mr.Pak Tae-hun.
Presented 'When a Crow Sings', of No. 100, to the fourth Oriental Art Club Exhibition held at Cheju, which is in possession of the Korea University Museum.
Participated in the Cheju Art Exhibition with 'Longing for Hometown', of No. 100, which is possessed by Mr. Byun Hyong-ha.
Put his painting, 'Landscape', in the 'Masterpiece Gallery' of the Weekly Woman.
Held his twelfth exhibition at Sanho Hall.

1981

Participated in the '81 Korean Art, sponsored by the National Modern Art Museum, with 'Separated Island', which was in possession of the Museum.
Presented 'Lonely Island of Tamna' to the sixty- seventh Kofukai Club Exhibition.
Held his thirteenth exhibition, invited by Haemok Gallery in Mokpo.
Held the fourteenth exhibition, invited by Namyang Gallery in Cheju.
Presented 'Isolation' to the Invitation Exhibition celebrating the opening of liho Gallery, owned by Kim Chung-op.
Put 'Returning to Home', an oil painting, in the Donga Daily Newspaper on 6 March.
Participated in the Professors Exchange Exhibition between Mokpo University and Cheju National University.
Held his fifteenth exhibition of trials for his art world, at Tamna Gallery in Cheju.
Participated in the fifth Oriental Art Club Exhibition held at Dongdok Gallery in Seoul.
Held a commemorative exhibition for traveling in Italy, with Kim Ki-hyok, Park Chong-hoi, Lee Chung-shin, Jung Sook- hee, Pyo Seung-hyun, at Peaksang Memorial Hall, in Anguk Dong, Seoul.
Exhibited in Astrolabio Gallery in Rome, Italy from 6 to 20 October, as his sixteenth exhibition.
Started to travel towards Europe.

1982

Submitted paintings in Chinese ink to the Hapjuk Exhibition belt' at Hotel Grand Gallery.
His Collection of Paintings of Travel to Europewas published by the Sanihwa Publishing Company.
Invited as a judge, to the modern Art Grand Exhibition, which was held at the Korea Design Packing Center.
Invited as a judge, to the Korea Traditional Art Exhibition, which was held at the Korea Design Packing Center.
Became President of the Korean Art Research Club, which was located in B/D 202,177 Kwanhun Dong, Chong-no Ku, Seoul and supervised the Shinmisul Grand Exhibition.
Held his seventeenth exhibition, invited by Chong Gallery in Kwangju.
Held his eighteenth exhibition, invited by Chong Gallery.
Participated in the sixty-eighth Kofukai Club Exhibition, held at Tokyo Art Museum, with 'San Marco'.
Presented 'Chonjiyon Waterfall of Sogwipo' to the column of 'Superb View of Summer', of the Donga Daily Newspaper on 19 July.
Put 'In the Summer' in the Cheju Daily Newspaper on 6 July and 'Hurrah for Liberation!' on 4 August.
Held his nineteenth exhibition, invited by Hang-wang Gallery in Pusan.

1983

Participated in the Modern Art Invitation Exhibition, supervised by the National Modern Art Museum, with 'Dream of hometown'.
Participated in the sixty-ninth Kofukai Club Exhibition with 'Landscape of London', of canvas size No. 30.
Presented 'News in Dream' to the Cheju Art Exhibition.
Invited to the Korean Art Grand Exhibition, as a judge.
Held his twentieth exhibition with paintings in Chinese ink, invited by Hansol Gallery in Cheju.
'Heavy Wind of Tamra' of size N0.100, was in possession of the Korean Foreign Exchange Bank, Cheju Branch.
'Typhoon', Size No.150, was possessed by HotelSohae.
His second daughter entered the Dept. of Korean Lang. & Lit., in Songshim Women's University.
Submitted to the Local Artist Ten Exhibition, celebrating the first birth day of Sangmi Hall in Sogwipo.
Supervised the Korean Art Research Club Exhibition, at the Sejong Cultural Center.
His first daughter entered the Graduate School of Hongik University, majoring in Aesthetics, after graduation from Cheju National University.

1984

Participated in the '84 Modern Art Invitation Exhibition, supervised by the National Modern Art Museum, with 'Dreaming', which was in possession of the Hongik University Museum.
Invited to the Shinmisul Exhibition, the Modern Art Exhibition, and the Pusan Art Exhibition, as a judge.
Participated in the Commemorative Exhibition of the fourteenth birthday of the Dokso Newspaper,with 'Hometown'.
Submitted to the Korea-Japan Art Exchange Exhibition, held at Choiigudang Gallery.
Presented 'Seine River' to the seventy Kofukai Club Exhibition.
Held his twenty-first exhibition, invited by Hansol Gallery in Cheju.
Became Chairman of the Dept. of Fine Arts Education in Cheju National University.
Held his twenty-second exhibition, with twenty five paintings in Chinese ink, at Sangmi Hall in Sogwipo.
Participated in the Unification Paintings & Writings Exhibition, with 'Landscape of Cheju', which was sponsored by the National Unification Conference.
'Landscape of Sogwipo' was possessed by Cheju National University.
Submitted to the Shinmisul Club Exhibition, held at 22th Century Gallery.
Participated in the Fund-raising for Restoration of Chusa's Exile Place Exhibition, with 'Waiting'.
Invited to the Pekje Art Exhibition, as a judge.
His first son, Chonghun, entered the Dept. of Russian Lang. & Lit. in Korea University.

1985

Participated in the '85 Modern Art Exhibition, supervised by the National Modern Art Museum,with 'Returning'.
Went to Japan to participate in the Korea-Japan Art Exchange Exhibition sponsored by Ginzaikyudo Gallery.
Presented to the Exhibition of Fourteen, held at Sangini Hall in Sogwipo.
Held his twenty-third exhibition at Sejongdang Gallery in Cheju City.
Participated in the seventy-first Kofukai Exhibition, held at Tokyo Art Museum, with 'Longing for Hometown'.
Invited to the Modern Art Exhibition with his wife, Lee Hak suk, as judges.
Invited to the Shinmisul Exhibition, as a chief of judges, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture & Information.