People’s Artist 29 May 1929: Born in Seoul, South Korea and died on 26 Dec 2004. Younger brother of Kim Ki Chang (金基昶), one of the best painters in ROK. August 1956: Graduated from Chosun Painting Faculty of Pyongyang University of Fine Arts (PUFA) 1960-1965: PUFA professor 1966-1982: Curator of Chosun Art Museum 1982-1999: Head of Railway Bureau Art Studio People’s artist, one of the 4 best painters in the DPRK, together with Jong Chang Mo, Sonu Young and Kim Sang Jik. During his career, which spanned over 40 years, he painted more than 150 pieces of landscapes, flowers and bird paintings. His main painting interests included: crabs, shrimps, flowers, etc. His works are distinguished by simple and soft brushstrokes, with deep colours, resembling a warm poetic representation. Some of his paintings are nominated as national treasures, exhibited at the ‘Chosun Art Museum.’ His masterpieces include ‘Reconstruction of Pyongyang City’, ‘Plum Flower’, ‘Early Winter Day’.

People’s Artist 20 Jun 1938: Born in Yanji, Jilin Province, China and died on 13 April 2018. Aug 1963: Graduated from Chosun Painting Faculty of Pyongyang University of Fine Arts (PUFA). 1960-1969: PUFA professor. 1971: Best Artist Award by Chairman KIM Jong Il. 1979: Chosun Masterpiece Artbook / Catalog released with 27 of MUN Hwa Chun's artworks included. 1987: Merit Artist Award received 1969-2000: Chosunhwa Dept Head of Railway Bureau Art Studio 2000-2018: Veteran Artist of Songhwa Art Studio People’s artist with his artworks well sought after in Japan, China, Russia, etc. During his career, which spanned almost 60 years, he painted more than 250 pieces of landscapes and flowers paintings. In particular, he was very much well regarded in his unique skill to draw and depict the waves and streams vividly. His main painting interests included: waves, streams, flowers, etc. His works are distinguished by a strong yet delicate touch, portraying resilience and beauty. Some of his paintings are nominated as national treasures, exhibited at the ‘Chosun Art Museum.’ His masterpieces include ‘Nine Dragon Valley, Morning of Inner Kumgang’, ‘Twin Water Fall of Inner Chilbo’, ‘Waves of Songho’, etc.

Kim Il Sung Prize Winner 18 Aug 1939: Born in Tokyo, Japan. Left Japan Musasino University of Fine Arts in the 3rd grade and came back to her socialist motherland, DPRK. Aug 1963: Graduated from Oil Painting Faculty of Pyongyang University of Fine Arts (PUFA). Kim Sung Hui is a recipient of the ‘Kim Il Sung’ prize, making her the most famous and well-known female painter in the DPRK, who over the last 40 years has created many national treasures. She drew paintings as figure painting, landscapes and custom paintings with the detailed, yet, unique touches and high color sensitivity and deep thoughts. She exhibited at the Beijing International Art Exposition in 2005, with great success and won first prize from the International Art Exhibition in Beijing in 2006 with ‘The masked dance of Pong San’. Many of her masterpieces are exhibited at the ‘Chosun Art Museum’

People’s Artist 22 Apr 1942: Born in Nampo City, South Pyongan Province, DPRK. Aug 1966: Graduated from the Chosun Painting Faculty of Pyongyang University of Fine Arts (PUFA). Over the last 40 years, he has painted over 200 fine works and has become very well-known for his excellence and proficiency in Chosunhwa. Life-like delineation and exquisite and soft-colorings are his distinguishing features. Additionally, he has worked as Chairman of Chosun Artists Union and Head of the Chosun Painting Unit at the Mansudae Art Studio. Many of his works are highly estimated at national exhibitions. He has visited Germany, the former USSR, China, Japan, Mozambique, Togo and other countries for his painting excursions. ‘Wild Geese of Moonlit Night’, ‘Smelters’, ‘Evening of Turu Islet’ are some of his masterpieces.

People’s Artist 24 Jan 1944: Born in Shinheung City, North Hamkyung Province, DPRK Aug 1976: Graduated from Pyongyang University of Fine Arts (entered into oil painting faculty in 1971, transferred to Chosun painting faculty) People’s artist, a combination of oil painting basics and Chosun painting techniques, can be seen in his works, due to his background in both disciplines. After a decade or so of taking a professorship with Pyongyang University of Fine Arts (PUFA) within the Chosun Paintings Faculty, he became Creative Director of the Chungang Art Studio. Over the past 40 years of his career, he has painted over 200 works. He is well known for his skillful depiction of landscapes, especially waterfalls and plum trees, including 120m-long ‘Okryudong autumn leaf’. His masterpieces include ‘Spring of Samji Lake’, ‘Summer of Mt. Kumkang’, ‘Spring of Mt. Myohyang’, ‘Evening of Daedong River’, ‘Red Plum Tree’, ‘White and Red Plum Trees’, etc.

People’s Artist Aug 1964: Born in Pyongyang City, DPRK. Aug 1983: Graduated from Chosun Painting Faculty of Pyongyang University of Fine Arts (PUFA). In addition to being a People’s Artist, he is one of the so-called 3 PUFA geniuses, together with Choi Chang Ho and Oh Young Seong. He is also the Creative Director of ’12 February’ Art Studio. He is known as the ‘Pine Tree’ Painting Master, specializing in this subject matter. His Chosun paintings are very famous for being realistic, bold and moving. However, on close inspection of his brushstrokes, the imagery is captured in a poetic and subtle manner. All of his masterpieces characteristically feature deep green colored pine trees, sometimes, with hawks and flowers.

People’s Artist 14 Apr 1964: Born in Pyongyang City, DPRK Aug 1986: Graduated from Chosun Painting Faculty of Pyongyang University of Fine Arts (PUFA). In addition to being a People’s artist, he is known as one of the 3 PUFA geniuses, alongside Choi Chang Ho and Chun Young. He is the Creative Director of Chosun Painting Section of the Mansudae Art Studio. His area of specialization is ‘Bird & Flower’ Paintings (BFP) and his expertise over the years has led him to be known as the BFP Master. His work is characterized by bold, confident, colourful strokes. Clean, clear lines and a simple touch, create a flawless finish, reinforcing his position as one of the best artists in the DPRK. BFPs should be dawn with only one stroke on the traditional transparent drawing paper called ‘Hanji’. In fact, extra touches over the very first stroke is not possible at all. Hence, a significant amount of time is required to perfect the superior stroke skills that underpin excellent BFPs. His genius talent was noticed from his early days and his artworks have attracted a lot of interest and positive reactions from many countries where exhibited, such as Japan, USA, China, Russia, etc. As a result, tens of his artworks are being owned and exhibited at the ‘Chosun Art Museum’. His masterpieces include ‘New Spring’, ‘Autumn of Hometown’, Every Autumn’, ‘Spring Flowers’, ‘Magnolia’, etc.

20 Jun 1970: Born in Haejoo City, South Hwanghae Province, DPRK. Aug 1992: Graduated from Chosun Painting Faculty of Pyongyang University of Fine Arts (PUFA). Lead Artist of the Koryo Art Studio.