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ABSTRACT
In this article, we explore interwoven aspects of life, culture and religion through the lens of, Minhwa, Korean folk painting. Chalmers' "why of art" approach serves as a conceptual framework to look at how and where Minhwa was used in and for life. First, we provide an historical overview of Minhwa's chief producers and consumers. Next, we discuss how the four main Korean religions, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, Shamanism, were reflected and incorporated into Minhwa, where their beliefs serve as the primary source of many of the most popular themes. Then we explain how Minhwa became a vital part of Korean life and culture. It served practical and social functions as domestic decorations that expressed social aspirations and desires for good fortune, aided in dispelling evil sprits, expressed a collective worldview, and reinforced traditional social values.
Following Chalmers' (1996) "why of art" approach, we will examine the relationship of art to life and religion focusing on Korean folk painting, Minhwa, and how and where it was used in and for daily life. The "why of art" approach seeks to understand art within a specific cultural context, as the product of that culture or social group rather than the work of a specific individual. Focusing on functions of art across cultures, Chalmers raised the questions: Why do we make art? How do we use art, and what is art for? Answering these questions in studying Minhwa through the "why of art" lens, we believe the study highlights Minhwa's social and cultural meanings and functions reflect Korean's religions and worldviews.
In pre-20th century Korea, the time before the influence of Western ideas and the age of industrialization, common beliefs, values, and principles of everyday life were interwoven and constituted social constructs that cannot be properly understood unless studied in all their aspects. Art played a significant role as an essential and vital part of this whole. In particular, Minhwa, Korean folk painting, is an exemplary art form which provides an opportunity to examine the whole through the lens of art. We begin by surveying Minhwa's origins and surrounding historical background, and then discuss the influence of Korea's four main religions on Minhwa: Buddhism, Conficianism, Taoism, and Shamanism. Next, we describe how the folk art Minhwa...