May your year be filled with good luck with the Sarimanok Minhwa Workshop!
The fusion of Philippines’ symbolic figure Sarimanok, and Korean traditional painting Minhwa certainly highlighted the collaboration between Korea and the Philippines.
Text and images courtesy of KCC Public Relations
February 23, 2023
Fear not, as the Sarimanok brings you and your loved ones all the good luck for this year! Last February 18, the Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines (KCC) with the National Museum of the Philippines hosted a Minhwa Workshop featuring artist Yoon Donghyun. The fusion of Philippines’ symbolic figure Sarimanok, and Korean traditional painting Minhwa certainly highlighted the collaboration between Korea and the Philippines. Local artists, art students, and art enthusiasts participated in the workshop held at the National Museum of Anthropology and learned more about traditional Korean art as well as their own heritage.
Sarimanok in Minhwa style drawn by artist Yoon Dong Hyun.
Minhwa, which means commoner’s painting, reflected the life and emotions of the common people. Its subjects varied from animals, plants, to objects symbolizing different things. An illustration of a tiger is often used as a symbol of protection, while a peony represented people’s wish to be wealthy. As the Maranaoan Philippine legendary bird ‘Sarimanok’ was the subject for this workshop, it represented the wish for good luck and good energy.
Workshop participants with Sarimanok artwork.
The workshop program started with the guided tour of the National Museum, particularly to the Sarimanok artwork displayed in the exhibition hall. The participants then learned about the historical and cultural background of Minhwa, and got to experience creating it. With six colors made from natural and organic materials, the participants gave life to the Sarimanok drawn on Hanji (Korean paper made with mulberry tree).
Artist Yoon Dong Hyun giving lecture.
In the lecture, artist Yoon delivered a memorable parting message to the participants. “I hope this workshop to be an opportunity for you to gain confidence in Philippine heritage, share each other’s culture, and appreciate art more”. Artist Yoon with background in traditional arts and craft, he has presented his works in several exhibitions and holds an extensive teaching experience in Ateneo de Manila University, KCC, etc.
This year, KCC and the National Museum in the Philippines is flourishing its continuous partnership through a performance in October with the Korean National University of Arts performance group.
