Seoul Auction Returns to Busan After Four Years... From Kim Jongsik and Nam June Paik to Kang Sehwang and Kim Gu

'BUSAN SALE' at Grand Josun Busan on October 23... 107 Lots with Combined Low Estimates of KRW 6.1 Billion
Busan Modern Art, Korean Contemporary Art, Antiques and Calligraphy by Figures from Modern and Contemporary Korean History, All in One Place

Seoul Auction will hold an auction in Busan for the first time in four years. The sale will bring together works ranging from seascapes by Kim Jongsik, one of Busan’s first-generation Western painters, and works by major figures in Korean contemporary art such as Nam June Paik, Chung Sang-hwa and Lee Bae, to antiques attributed to Pyoam Kang Sehwang and Danwon Kim Hongdo, as well as calligraphy by figures from modern and contemporary Korean history, including Kim Gu and Syngman Rhee.

“Chaegwado,” attributed to Danwon Kim Hongdo, consists of two paintings depicting a watermelon and a cabbage in spreading light washes, without ink outlines. Each bears Danwon’s courtesy name, Saneung, and the seal “Kimssi Saneung Jijang.” Seoul Auction

Seoul Auction said on October 8 that it will hold its “BUSAN SALE” at 4 p.m. on October 23 at Grand Josun Busan. A total of 107 lots will be offered, including 69 works of modern and contemporary art, 13 luxury items and 25 antiques. The combined low estimates total approximately KRW 6.1 billion.

This auction puts Busan’s seascapes and coastal scenery front and center. One of its featured artists is Kim Jongsik (1918-1988), a first-generation Western painter who was born in Busan and spent his life working in the region. He led the Western painting group Tobyeokhoe and trained younger artists as a professor at Dong-A University, while continually painting Busan’s mountains, sea and harbor.

The works “Sunset at Busan Port” and “Gwangalli,” painted in 1971, depict the sea in Busan. According to Seoul Auction, this is the first time Kim’s work has been offered at a major auction. “Sunset at Busan Port” is estimated at KRW 1.2 million to KRW 5 million, while “Gwangalli” is estimated at KRW 1.8 million to KRW 6 million.

Kim Jongsik, "Sunset at Busan Port." This work captures the scenery of Busan Port and was created by Kim Jongsik, a first-generation Western-style painter born in Busan who spent his life working in the region. 32.4 x 44.4 cm, oil on board. Seoul Auction.

Other works that evoke Busan’s scenery will also be offered. They include a painting of a pier by Lim Jiksoon, rendered in rich colors and free brushwork; a work by Choi Hyeji depicting crowds at a market; and works by Busyangpai, including a scene filled with blue sea and sky. The estimate for Busyangpai’s “My Khe Sky” is KRW 10 million to KRW 20 million.

Among major works of Korean contemporary art, Nam June Paik’s 1994 work “Internet Dweller: sw. six. Sa” will be offered at auction in Korea for the first time. The sculpture, shaped like a robot, combines three vintage televisions with a Polaroid camera, neon tubes, vacuum tubes and an antenna. It is estimated at KRW 120 million to KRW 200 million.

Also on offer are Chung Sang-hwa’s blue monochrome “Untitled 2008-3-5,” Lee Bae’s large-scale, 100-ho work “Brushstroke-de 6,” and Woo Kukwon’s 100-ho work “Make Love.” The estimate for Lee’s work is available upon request, while Woo’s work is estimated at KRW 120 million to KRW 250 million.

Pyoam Kang Sehwang, “Gyogajukseok.” The work bears the inscription “Cheongeummuljeon,” meaning “Do not pass this on to others, even for a thousand gold pieces,” as well as the collection seal of Heedang Yoon Heejung, a modern-era collector, documenting its provenance. Seoul Auction.

In the antiques section, collection seals and inscriptions that trace the works’ provenance are drawing attention. Kang Sehwang’s “Gyogajukseok” bears the inscription “Cheongeummuljeon,” meaning “Do not pass it on to others even for a thousand gold pieces,” as well as “Heedang Jinjang,” the collection seal of modern collector Yoon Heejung. Yoon was the owner of the Chosun JoongAng Ilbo during the incident in which the newspaper removed the Japanese flag from a photograph of Sohn Kee-chung, and is considered one of the major modern-era collectors alongside Wi-chang Oh Sechang and Song-eun Lee Byeongjik. The work is estimated at KRW 15 million to KRW 30 million.

Two works titled “Chaegwado,” attributed to Danwon Kim Hongdo, will also be offered. Depicting a watermelon and a cabbage, they are characterized by the molgol technique, which defines form through washes of pale color without ink outlines. Each painting bears Danwon’s courtesy name, “Saneung,” and the seal “Kim Ssi Saneung Jijang.” They are estimated at KRW 20 million to KRW 40 million.

Calligraphy by figures who shaped modern and contemporary Korean history will also go under the hammer. “Geonguk Chian,” written by Syngman Rhee in 1946, is said to have been owned by Choi Daegyo, the first chief prosecutor of the Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office. It is estimated at KRW 15 million to KRW 30 million. The large calligraphy work “Nongjacheonhajidaebon,” measuring 2.6 meters in height, will be offered with an estimate of KRW 50 million to KRW 100 million.

Woonam Lee Seungman, “Founding Nation’s Public Security.” This calligraphic work, written by Lee Seungman in 1946, is known to have been owned by Choi Daegyo, the first chief of the Seoul District Prosecutors’ Office. Ink on paper, 128 x 31.9 cm. Seoul Auction.

“Gwisubulsim,” written by Baekbeom Kim Gu in 1947, after Korea’s liberation, will also be offered. The calligraphy conveys the meaning, “The heart is like Buddha’s, but the hands are like a demon’s,” and is estimated at KRW 8 million to KRW 30 million. A Korean-language calligraphy work titled “Neighbors Like Family,” written by Park Chung-hee in 1969, will also be offered.

Luxury items going under the hammer include three Rolex watches and a Hermès Birkin 35 among items seized by the National Tax Service, as well as a Cartier oval-cut diamond ring weighing 4.03 carats. The Cartier ring is estimated at KRW 130 million to KRW 300 million.

The Seoul preview will run from October 8 to 17 at Seoul Auction’s Gangnam Center, while the Busan preview will be held at Grand Josun Busan from October 20 through the auction date, October 23. Admission is free.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.