[Disability Awareness] Choi Il-kwon's 50th Anniversary Exhibition

Choi Il-kwon was born in Seoul in 1953 and was born with hearing and speech impairments. At the age of 8 (first year at Seoul School for the Deaf), he began winning awards at international art exhibitions, and at the age of 13, he won the grand prize at the National Children's Art Competition, developing an exceptional talent and passion for painting.

In 2000, he received the Presidential Commendation for his contribution to the promotion of disability welfare, and he also won the 2nd Korea Disability Culture and Arts Awards. For Choi Il-kwon, painting was a means of self-expression, a life goal, and the only way to communicate with the world.

Influenced by Kim Ki-chang, a giant of the art world, he was also nicknamed the second Unbo. Currently, he resides in Icheon City and is active as a model representative artist in Korean painting.

Choi Il-kwon, who was born with hearing and speech impairments, began winning awards at international art exhibitions at the age of 8 (first year at Seoul School for the Deaf). At the age of 13, he was affiliated with the Dongsan Art Research Institute in Seoul and won the grand prize at the National Children's Art Practical Competition hosted by the then Korea Federation of Arts and Culture Organizations, developing an exceptional talent and passion for painting.

One day, an acquaintance of Choi's mother saw Choi's paintings when he was young and suggested that he seriously pursue art. At that time, Choi's mother took his paintings to Unbo Kim Ki-chang, a giant of Korean painting, and explained the situation. Kim Ki-chang introduced Choi to Shim Won Jo-jung-hyeon (former dean of Ewha Womans University's Department of Fine Arts) as his teacher, and Choi started his journey in Korean painting from then on.

Among Korean paintings, he enjoys painting flowers and birds and figures, harmoniously sublimating them with soft washes to showcase the effects of Korean painting techniques. Instead of large-scale subjects like mountains, his works primarily feature animals that inhabit mountains, such as eagles, owls, squirrels, butterflies, bees, sparrows, pigeons, and chickens, and various flowers are depicted on the canvas, showcasing traditional and modern beauty. Through his unique techniques of meticulous Damchae painting and flat painting, his compositions are praised for their uniqueness.

The artist always expresses his gratitude for his wife, Hong Young-ran, who has selflessly supported him in his communication with the world, which allowed him to build his artistic world intensely. He never forgets to express his gratitude for his wife's dedicated support.

Unbo Kim Ki-chang said, "Choi Il-kwon's artistic world reflects a delicate heart that embraces the world," and referred to him as his beloved student.

Group and Invitational Exhibitions

• 3 solo exhibitions, 10 invitational exhibitions, 1 overseas exhibition

• Participated in the Korean Farmers' Association Founding Exhibition and Regular Exhibitions (1-25th)

• Husohui Member Exhibition (participated in the 18th to 48th exhibitions)

• Beautiful Seoul Exhibition Commemorating the 600th Anniversary of Seoul's Founding (Seoul Museum of Art)

• Records of People Rising Exhibition (Anyang Arts Center) Invited artist for Chungcheong Disabled Persons Art Exhibition, Invited exhibition to raise funds to help North Korean disabled persons.

• Seoul Disabled Youth Theater Festival Excellent Artist Artwork Exhibition

• Silence & Color Exhibition (Gyeong-in Museum of Art)

• Creating the Future Together "1+1=人" Exhibition

• Disability Culture and Arts Person Exhibition and Discussion

• Hwang Jeong Disability Culture and Arts Center Invitational Exhibition

• Donated "Chunhwa" 300-size artwork (Icheon City Hall)

• Invited exhibition to raise funds for the construction of Sindun Catholic Church

• World Disability Culture and Arts Festival Exhibition

• Korea-China Disabled Persons Art Exchange Exhibition

• 2011 Korea-China-Japan Disabled Persons Art Exchange Exhibition.

• Asia-Pacific Disabled Persons Representative Art Exhibition Judge

Awards

• Disability Welfare Promotion (Presidential Commendation)

• Winner of the 2nd Korea Disability Culture and Arts Awards

• Disability Welfare Promotion (Nowon-gu District Mayor's Commendation)

• Disability Welfare Promotion (Icheon City Mayor's Commendation)

Born in Seoul in 1953

• JM Group's Beautiful Together Exhibition, Jeonju Invitational Exhibition "The Message of Love Conveyed through Art", Painting Exhibition with Stories Conveyed through the Body, Supporting Exhibition of the National Mentally and Physically Disabled Children's Art Exhibition (4, 8, 10-17, 21)

• Special Exhibition for Disabled Persons (Cheong Wa Dae Chun-chu-gwan)

• Participated in the Korea Art Association's Regular Exhibition, the Korea Disabled Persons Art Association's Founding Exhibition and Regular Exhibition, and the Mokpo Opening 100th Anniversary Commemorative Korean Farmers' Association Invitational Exhibition

• Recommended Artist for the Korea Disabled Persons Art Competition

• Deaf Persons' Day Artwork Invitational Exhibition Special Planning Exhibition "Silent Echo" (Cheongju Unbo Museum of Art)

• Permanent artwork exhibition at SK building

• World Disabled Persons Korea Convention Venue Exhibition

• Tea ceremony artwork exhibition, Lotte Outlet cafe bakery permanent artwork exhibition

• International Disabled Persons Art Exchange Exhibition (Louvre Museum Exhibition)

• Special Exhibition of Disabled Persons Art (Cheong Wa Dae Chun-chu-gwan)

Current

• Advisor, Korea Deaf Art Association

• Member, Korea Art Association

• Member, Husohui

• Advisor, Korea Disabled Persons Art Association

• Social Member

Meanwhile, this exhibition is expected to have various effects that contribute to improving the perception of people with disabilities. Firstly, it can spread awareness that people with disabilities also have artistic talent. Choi Il-kwon has received recognition for his outstanding painting skills despite his hearing and speech impairments, and he has won the Korea Disability Culture and Arts Award. This exhibition is expected to show that people with disabilities can be fully recognized as artists and contribute to eliminating social prejudice against them.

Secondly, it can promote communication and understanding between people with and without disabilities. This exhibition provides an opportunity for people with and without disabilities to view and discuss artwork together. This is expected to provide an opportunity for people with and without disabilities to understand and empathize with each other.

Thirdly, it can foster an environment that supports the activities of artists with disabilities. This exhibition will introduce the works of artists with disabilities to the public and provide an opportunity to support their activities. This is expected to create an environment where artists with disabilities can engage in more active activities.

Choi Il-kwon's 50th-anniversary commemorative exhibition is a meaningful event that contributes to improving the perception of people with disabilities. We hope that this exhibition will provide an opportunity for people with and without disabilities to communicate with each other and foster an environment that supports the activities of artists with disabilities.

Specific Effects

Spreading awareness that people with disabilities also have artistic talent

Promoting communication and understanding between people with and without disabilities

Fostering an environment that supports the activities of artists with disabilities