06 May 2008

From the University of Dayton exhibit: Virgin Mary in traditional Korean style

"Ms. Bang [O Seok]'s deep devotion to Mary is reflected in the number
of paintings she has created of the Holy Mother of Korea, several of
them included in this exhibit. In them Mary is shown in traditional
garments of a queen or noble woman. All of her work is in traditional
Korean painting style and reflects her culture's religious ethos. The
characteristic trait of Korean painting is to express briefly and to
the point, leaving some blank area on the work. In this way spectators
have latitude for thinking and are able to fill up the space, not with
craftsmanship or technique, but with faith, according to Ms. Bang."

"Holy Mother the Queen of Korea, Full of Love"
(Hangug-e Yeowang ishimeo Sarang-e chungman-hashin Eomoni)
1975
http://campus.udayton.edu/mary//gallery/bangosek11.htm
In this piece the Holy Lady is depicted in a traditional Korean
outfit, holding an orb. Note certain iconographical symbolisms are
kept intact although expressed in a decidedly Korean manner.

"Holy Mother of Korea, Plantain Lily, Immaculate, and Mother of Mercy"
http://campus.udayton.edu/mary//gallery/bangosek13.htm
In this piece the lily (a traditional iconographical device) is Korean.

"Assumption"
1992
http://campus.udayton.edu/mary//gallery/bangosek12.htm
Note that she is riding the crescent.

"Mother of Virgins, Mother of Love"
2001
http://campus.udayton.edu/mary//gallery/bangosek26.htm
This is perhaps the most intriguing of all paintings on exhibit. The
UD website does not explain much, and it is really up to how one would
make of this painting. The flowers in the centre are probably
Mugunghwa 무궁화 無窮花 (Lit. "The immortal flower," Hibiscus syriacus;
translated as "Roses of Sharon" in the English version of the South
Korean national anthem.)

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