Women’s News | Women in Culture Awards Honor Those Leading the Cultural Korean Wave
Women's News reported that Korean painter Kim Hyun Jung received the Cheonghyeon Culture Award at the '2015 Women in Culture Award' ceremony hosted by Women's News. Kim was recognized for drawing significant public attention with sold-out exhibitions following her 2013 solo debut under the theme 'Naesoong Story.'
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Han Bok-ryeo, Director of the Royal Court Cuisine Research Institute, Wins the Women in Culture Award
Now in its 8th year… 13 people selected, including the Women in Culture Arts Patron Award
The '2015 Women in Culture Award' ceremony was held on the afternoon of the 7th at the International Conference Hall of the Korea Press Center on Taepyeongno, Seoul. Hosted by the Women & Culture Network, organized by Women's News, and sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the 'Women in Culture Award' ceremony has, since its founding in 2008, drawn attention in the cultural and arts world each year for supporting and encouraging women in culture active across diverse fields.
The Women in Culture Award, which carries a commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, was awarded to Han Bok-ryeo, Director of the Royal Court Cuisine Research Institute. Director Han, holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property No. 38, "Joseon Dynasty Royal Court Cuisine," has led efforts to discover and preserve Korea's traditional food culture as a world cultural heritage and vital Korean content.
Park Hye-ran, President of the Women & Culture Network, greeted attendees, saying, "Supporting and encouraging women in culture is essential to spreading a culture of gender equality in our society, alongside the goal of cultural flourishing," adding, "Many women with talent and passion are quietly walking their own paths. Though lonely and arduous, I respect and love these women in culture who walk a path more beautiful than any other."
Kim Geum-rae, former Minister of Gender Equality and Family and chair of the Women in Culture Award judging committee, offered words of encouragement, saying, "I remember finishing the judging with a happy heart, realizing just how many outstanding women there are in the cultural world. I hope this happiness spreads far and becomes a driving force for developing culture and the arts."
Kim Hyo-sun, President of Women's News, offered a congratulatory address: "I hope today's joy becomes the strength for the women in culture gathered here to grow and develop further, and a foundation for younger generations to grow. Culture can be a genuine force for social change. Women can continue this culture award through good practices of joining forces and cooperating. I ask everyone here to participate as agents of that change."
The Eulju Award for Special Cultural and Artistic Achievement, given to an organization contributing to the development of women's culture and arts, went to the Korea Adoptee Children's Choir. Korea's first choir made up entirely of openly adopted children, it has, since 2006, served as a bridge through song, raising awareness of the importance of adoption, addressing Korea's low birth rate, and improving adoption culture. Kim Ki-hyeok, son of the late Kim Eul-ju, former CEO of Imsung Corporation, participated as a presenter.
The Women in Culture and Arts Patron Award, which carries a commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, went to Trunk Gallery. Opened in 2007, Trunk Gallery serves as an intermediary between photographers and photo collectors. Alongside established photographers, it has discovered emerging artists and curated diverse exhibitions, working to spread the photographic aesthetics of our era.
The Rising Women in Culture Award, given to women who will become leaders of the next generation in culture and the arts, went to nine recipients: △ dancer Kim Bun-seon, who contributed to talent-sharing through street performances to raise funds for the Comfort Women History Museum △ producer Kim Hee-jung, recognized for contributing to broadcast culture development and demonstrating capability through original programming △ singer-songwriter Sunwoo Jung-a, recognized for exceptional talent through genre-crossing, distinctive musical activity △ sister pianist/violinist duo Song Se-jin and Song Won-jin, recognized for contributing to expanding classical music's reach and social contribution through delicate, passionate performances fused with the humanities △ filmmaker Lee Kil-bo-ra, recognized for shedding warm light on the socially marginalized through documentary work △ Korean painter Lee Jeong-min, recognized for distinctive work grounded in a feminist perspective and collaborations with other genres △ traditional music performer Cho In-seon, recognized for creative programming as an ajaeng performer and contributions to popularizing and globalizing traditional Korean music △ playwright/actor Cheon Eun-yeong, recognized for contributing to regional cultural and artistic development.
Kim Jae-yeon, a Jeju haenyeo (female diver) and 2012 Rising Women in Culture Award recipient, and doll artist Kim Jin-kyung, the 2014 recipient, attended and lent their presence. Kim Jae-yeon said, "My life changed greatly after receiving the Rising Women in Culture Award. It made me live even harder to promote haenyeo culture," adding, "I hope today's winners will also carry on with more confident, active engagement going forward." Kim Jin-kyung said, "The Women in Culture Award was a message of encouragement telling me the path I chose wasn't wrong. That strength has kept me from giving up and helped me walk on. I also feel a sense of responsibility. I respect all of today's award recipients."
The event was attended and celebrated by about 150 guests and winners' families, including former Minister of Gender Equality and Family Kim Geum-rae, Saenuri Party lawmaker Hwang In-ja, Lee Soo-hyeong, Chairman of the Cheonghyeon Culture Foundation, Kim Ki-hyeok, Head of Pediatrics at National Health Insurance Ilsan Hospital, Yoon Jeong-yeon, Chair of the Women in Culture Award Organizing Committee, painter Jeong Jeong-yeop, painter Yoon Seok-nam, Lee Hye-kyung, Chair of the Seoul International Women's Film Festival, Ra Jong-eok, Chair of the Institute for Unification Culture, Shin Hyo-cheol, incoming President of Soroptimist Korea, culinary researcher Han Bok-seon, and Lee Gun, Managing Director of the Korea Cultural Heritage Foundation.
Cheonghyeon Culture Award / Kim Hyun Jung, Korean Painter
"I paint on the theme of naesoong. You could think of it as imagining what Sin Yun-bok would have painted had he lived into the 21st century. During a difficult, hard time, I thought that art might be the great ability I possess. That's when I began painting witty, fun pictures. I'm grateful to my family, who has always cheered me on."