Jeju to open Hangot Calligraphy Hall on 24 October after calligrapher's donation
In short
Jeju Province said on 20 October that the Hangot Calligraphy Hall (한곬서예관), created from works and a creative space donated by Hangul calligrapher Hyeon Byeong-chan (현병찬), will hold its opening ceremony on 24 October at 2 pm. An opening exhibition will run until 17 November.
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Jeju Province said on 20 October that the Hangot Calligraphy Hall (한곬서예관) will hold its opening ceremony on 24 October at 2 pm in the Jeoji Culture and Art Village in Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City. An opening exhibition will run until 17 November. The hall was created from works and a creative space donated by Hangul calligrapher Hyeon Byeong-chan (현병찬), who uses the pen name Hangot (한곬). [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The hall is a conversion of 'Meokgeuri Itneun Jip' (먹글이 있는 집), an exhibition hall Hyeon had used for creating work and training students. The documents say he gave his calligraphy works, books, the exhibition hall and the land to the province free of charge. The province took over ownership in June 2024, refurbished the facility and named it after his pen name. In June this year it enacted an operating ordinance for the hall, which Yonhap, Kyunghyang Shinmun and Hankook Ilbo give as the 'Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Hangot Calligraphy Hall Operation Ordinance'. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
The opening exhibition shows works by Hyeon and invited artists from Jeju and elsewhere. Newsis, Yonhap and Hankook Ilbo say they can be viewed free. Listed works include the large folding screen 'Yeongju Sipgyeong' (영주십경), which depicts Jeju scenery, 'Samda-ui Seom' (삼다의 섬), expressed in the Jeju language and various Hangul scripts, and 'Haenyeo Norae' (해녀노래) and 'Norodongyo' (노동요), based on Jeju folk songs. Artists including Jo Jong-suk and Kim Seon-suk, and Hyeon's students, are also showing work. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
According to the outlets, Hyeon has expressed the form of Hangul and the nature, life and language of Jeju through calligraphy. He studied under Soam Hyeon Jung-hwa (소암 현중화) and Haejeong Park Tae-jun (해정 박태준), and has worked to train students and to develop and spread the Hangul computer typeface 'Misoche' (미소체). Kyunghyang Shinmun gives his age as 84. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Yonhap and Kyunghyang Shinmun report that the ceremony will consist of a commemorative video, opening remarks, congratulatory speeches, the donor's remarks, a plaque unveiling, a tour of the exhibition and commentary on the works. The province plans to use the hall to expand exhibitions, calligraphy education and cultural exchange. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Ryu Il-sun (류일순), head of the province's culture, sports and education bureau, said: "We will work to make Hangot Calligraphy Hall an open cultural space where residents and tourists can appreciate and learn Hangul and Jeju-language calligraphy, continuing Hyeon Byeong-chan's artistic spirit and willingness to share." In Kyunghyang Shinmun and Hankook Ilbo the official also thanked Hyeon for sharing a lifetime of work and a creative space. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
Why it matters
The donation turns a calligraphy exhibition hall into a public cultural space. The province said it plans to expand exhibitions, calligraphy education and cultural exchange there.
Key facts
- Jeju Province said on 20 October that the Hangot Calligraphy Hall will hold its opening ceremony on 24 October at 2 pm at the Jeoji Culture and Art Village in Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- An opening exhibition will run until 17 November. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Calligrapher Hyeon Byeong-chan gave his works, books, exhibition hall and land to Jeju Province free of charge. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The province took over ownership in June 2024, refurbished the facility and named it after the calligrapher's pen name, Hangot. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- In June this year the province enacted an ordinance setting the basis for operating and managing the hall. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The hall was converted from the exhibition hall 'Meokgeuri Itneun Jip' (먹글이 있는 집), which Hyeon had used for creating work and training students. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The hall opens with a ceremony on 24 October at 2 pm in the Jeoji Culture and Art Village, Hangyeong-myeon, Jeju City, followed by an opening exhibition until 17 November, the province said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- Hyeon Byeong-chan donated his works, books, exhibition hall and land to Jeju Province free of charge. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The province took over ownership in June 2024 and enacted an operating ordinance in June 2026. [ 2 , 3 , 4 ]
- The exhibition features the large folding screen 'Yeongju Sipgyeong' (영주십경), 'Samda-ui Seom' (삼다의 섬), 'Haenyeo Norae' (해녀노래) and 'Norodongyo' (노동요), and works by guest artists including Jo Jong-suk and Kim Seon-suk. [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]
Still unclear
- Hyeon Byeong-chan's age Only one outlet, Kyunghyang Shinmun, gives it, as 84.
- Whether the exhibition is free to visit Newsis, Yonhap and Hankook Ilbo say the works are shown free; Kyunghyang Shinmun does not mention admission.
- How many works the donation includes and its value None of the documents gives a number or a value.