Light of Heaven, Light of Earth: Park Kyung-ni’s Toji in Paintings

Commemorating the centenary of literary giant Park Kyung-ni (1926–2008), the special literature and art exhibition Light of Heaven, Light of Earth (하늘의 빛, 땅의 빛) opens at Kyobo Art Space within Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Co-hosted by the Daesan Foundation and Kyobo Book Centre, this landmark presentation brings together the monumental narrative of Park’s epic saga Toji (The Land) and the visual languages of eight prominent contemporary Korean painters.

Through 30 new paintings directly interpreting key chapters of the 20-volume literary masterpiece, the exhibition reflects upon characters who tenaciously chose life over despair, persevering through the turbulent upheavals of modern Korean history.

Light of Heaven, Light of Earth Visitor Information

• Exhibition Title: Light of Heaven, Light of Earth – Meeting Park Kyung-ni’s Toji in Paintings (하늘의 빛, 땅의 빛 – 박경리 『토지』, 그림으로 만나다)
• Exhibition Period: September 8, 2026 – October 27, 2026
• Venue: Kyobo Art Space (B1 Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun, 1 Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul)
• Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Last admission 7:40 PM)
• Admission: Free
• Closed Days: Follows Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun regular holidays
• Co-Organizers: Daesan Foundation, Kyobo Book Centre
• Participating Artists: Gil Hyun, Kim Sun-doo, Park Moon-jong, Park Se-jin, Park Young-geun, An Jung-kyeong, Lee Dong-hwan, Hong Seung-hee

Dialogue Between Epic Literature and Contemporary Korean Art

Since establishing its dedicated Literature and Painting Exhibition series, the Daesan Foundation has collaborated regularly with Kyobo Book Centre to present visual reinterpretations of cornerstone Korean literary works. Following acclaimed earlier editions in this series, this centenary exhibition explores the vast emotional landscape of Toji.

Lee Seung-yoon, president of the Society of Toji Studies who oversaw the text excerpts and catalog commentary, noted that the thirty selected scenes serve not as a simplified summary of the novel, but as thirty open doorways leading into the depth of the entire epic. Visitors following these painted doorways encounter faces of resilient individuals who sustained profound relationships amidst loss and rooted themselves anew in times of dispossession.

Three Key Highlights to Explore in the Gallery

First, observe how thirty poignant literary excerpts are paired directly beside their corresponding paintings, establishing an immediate and immersive dialogue between written literature and visual expression.

Second, compare the varied styles and painterly approaches of the eight featured artists—ranging from evocative brush-and-ink washes to textured, expressive figurative tableaus—each translating Park Kyung-ni’s vivid prose through a distinct aesthetic prism.

Third, take in the titular metaphor of light. Drawn from a passage in Part 4 of Toji where characters reflect on harboring nature’s light within the soul, the exhibition illuminates humanity’s enduring dignity across generational trials.

Practical Tips Before Visiting Kyobo Art Space

Kyobo Art Space is conveniently located inside the flagship Gwanghwamun store of Kyobo Book Centre, directly connected to Gwanghwamun Station (Line 5). Admission is completely free with no advance reservations required.

Operating hours run daily from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM, with final entry permitted until 7:40 PM. The exhibition catalog is available through on-site event participation for visitors interested in reading the full commentary alongside color plates.

To discover more Korean art and exhibitions covered on this site, read our guides on Infusing Light and Reimagining Yun Hyong-keun.

Official Sources and Visitor Announcements

For official exhibition details and additional programming schedules, visit the Daesan Foundation announcement page.