Art, War, and Exile in Modern Korea: Rethinking the Life and Work of Lee Qoede - Softcover

Jin, Jinyoung Anna

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1041175833 ISBN 13: 9781041175834

Publisher: Routledge, 2026

Synopsis

This book celebrates the life and works of Lee Qoede (1913-1965), who focused on art's social purpose and representation of civilians. He believed art must be an integral part of the struggle in reality. It cannot simply be a still-life of apples, flowers, or scenery. Born in South Korea, he was a prisoner of war, defected to North Korea, was politically purged, and died at fifty-two. His works were banned in South Korea until 1988. This monograph explores Lee Qoede's art within the context of Cold War politics and international leftist exchanges, including his experiences of civilian massacres, prisoner-of-war camps, and his defection to North Korea. It examines social realism, socialist realism, and Mexican mural influences on Lee's oeuvre, reevaluating his place in South Korean art history. Highlighting the global impact of Lee's work, the book integrates insights from international artists and movements, challenging Eurocentric modernism and offering a comprehensive understanding of his artistic journey.

Website: Jinyoung Anna Jin - Home

Social Media/Instagram: @jinyoungannajin

About this title

About the Author

Jinyoung Anna Jin, PhD., is the Director of Asian Art and Culture at the Charles B. Wang Center at Stony Brook University and has served on the community advisory board for PBS Thirteen/WLIW since 2016. www.thewangcenter.org

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1041175833
• ISBN 13: 9781041175834
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 240