Ким Бок Чжин: Основоположник национальной скульптуры в Корее японского колониального периода

This study examines the life and work of Kim Bok-jin (pseudonym: Jeong-gwan), the first Korean sculptor to graduate from the Department of Sculpture at Tokyo University of the Arts in 1925, during the Japanese colonial period. He was also the first to introduce Western realist techniques into Korean sculpture. The paper explores national motifs in Kim’s work within the context of a historically challenging era and analyzes several of his lesser-known pieces through the lens of Korean studies. The primary focus is on his sculptures Standing Woman, Statue of Maitreya Buddha, Baek Hwa, Youth (Boy), and Old Man. From 1925 until his death in 1940, Kim Bok-jin consistently exhibited at the Joseon Art Exhibition. Beyond his artistic practice, he founded and directed the Art Research Institute, where he mentored emerging artists. He was also active as a journalist, critic, and political figure, serving as a member of the Joseon Communist Party. This study aims to reevaluate the legacy of Kim Bok-jin, a pivotal figure in Korean sculpture, who was posthumously awarded the Order of Merit for National Foundation in 1993.