InfoAnda - N.Korea defector artist says he paints real regime

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

British soldiers shoot Afghan policeman dead: military | 29 November 2008
Elections are test for al-Maliki, Iraq | 25 January 2009
Bollywood actresses drive Indian slimming fashion | 3 March 2010

Anne Hathaway marries in Big Sur: reports | | 1 October 2012

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : N.Korea defector artist says he paints real regime

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition World N.Korea defector artist says he paints real regime AFP - Wednesday, January 26 Send IM Story Print N.Korea defector artist says he paints real regime SEOUL (AFP) - – Until 2001, artist Song Byeok was only allowed to paint the happy faces of North Koreans. Now his work shows the misery behind the smiles. "I only drew happy faces...and what great lives North Koreans were leading under the Dear Leader and how grateful they were under Kim Jong-Il's compassion," said the former state propaganda artist, who fled in 2002. "Now I want to show to the world how much they crave freedom and change," he told AFP during an interview in his studio in the South Korean capital. Some 30 of his paintings are on display this week in his first exhibition in Seoul, entitled "Forever Freedom". One shows the head of Kim Jong-Il on the body of Marilyn Monroe in her iconic scene -- dress blown skyward. Kim smiles sheepishly under his signature sunglasses. "My message is, 'Open yourself up'," said Song. The 42-year-old spent seven years churning out hundreds of paintings for Pyongyang's propaganda campaigns. "No matter how hungry and unhappy people were, the paintings were all about happy faces of farmers, holding hands with each other and looking up to the sky to praise the leader and pledging their loyalty," he said. Kim, along with his late father and founding president Kim Il-Sung, is the subject of an all-pervasive personality cult, with their portraits hung in classrooms and offices across the nation. In the North, "a lowly artist like me couldn't even dare to paint Kim's portrait, and doing so would have caused me massive trouble," Song said. Life as a propaganda artist in the hardline communist state was not easy. Song said one fellow artist was dragged to a prison camp overnight for misspelling a state edict. "Because of one spelling error, he was gone the next day," said Song, adding he had missed "small, basic freedoms in everyday life". In 2001 severe food shortages drove Song and his father to try to cross the border into China. When the current swept his father away, Song ran to a border patrol to seek help. They arrested him immediately and let his father drown, he said. "That's when I realised this was not a place for a human to live," he said. After six months in jail where he lost a finger during forced labour, Song escaped in 2002 and arrived in Seoul, where he attended art colleges. His paintings reveal the anger and thirst for freedom he felt in the tightly-controlled North. They frequently depict birds and butterflies symbolising freedom, as well as the man he once did not dare paint. In one work Kim, his hair in a rock-star-style quiff, holds a rosary and has a cross emblazoned on his face -- a sardonic reference to his status as a God-like idol in the North. Another painting shows North Koreans dressed in identical uniforms and bowing deeply before a giant Kim statue. A white dove flying away symbolises the people's hidden longing for freedom, Song said. Another work shows glued-together pieces of letters he exchanged for years with his sister in the North, who eventually followed him to Seoul in 2007. The tearful messages, exchanged via brokers in China, were glued together on tightly-woven wires in which yellow butterflies are trapped. Song wants to help people see the North through his paintings not as a bizarre land ruled by an eccentric dictator, but as a country whose people long for the freedoms taken for granted elsewhere. "You may feel so relieved that you were not born in North Korea, but I want you to think beyond that and think more about how to help," he said. Life in South Korea is no bed of roses for refugees. Many complain they cannot get decent jobs and some say they face discrimination at work. Song hops from one odd job to another, in construction or house removals, to earn enough money to buy canvases. But he said he was happy just to be able to paint freely and enjoy small everyday freedoms. "North Koreans don't even know a man has been to the Moon...I want South Koreans and people elsewhere to realise how much freedom they take for granted, and to help open up the North," he said. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Opera star Netrebko returns to St Petersburg stage AFP - 16 minutes ago Merkel pays tribute to 'Downfall' producer AFP - Thursday, January 27 US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary Reuters - Thursday, January 27 Penelope Cruz has first child: report Reuters - Thursday, January 27 South Korean director thrives ANN - Thursday, January 27 News Search Top Stories Boeing fourth-quarter profits slump on lower sales Dow Jones index hits 12,000 points Davos opens with power shift to South, East in focus T. rex still king, says dino study BBC World Service axes five language services More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Kids who misbehave face trouble as adults: study T. rex still king, says dino study British economy suffers shock slump BBC World Service axes five language services 'The King's Speech' wins most Oscar nominations More Most Viewed » More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Abbas welcomed home as hero
France signs contested Russia warship deal
Online paid news service launched by leading newspapers
Egyptian police fire tear gas at demonstrators
British economy suffers shock slump
Russia blames lax security for airport horror
Eric Schmidt expects another 10 years at Google
In fields and city streets, Cuba embraces change |
Egyptians hit the streets to demand Mubarak ouster
'The King's Speech' wins most Oscar nominations
Hezbollah-backed Mikati appointed Lebanon PM
Suicide attack kills seven in Lahore: police
Somali pirates seize German ship off Seychelles |
Egyptians rage against Mubarak's rule, three killed
Primates shun Anglican talks over U.S. gay bishops |
Israel's new top spy: Iran bomb possible in 2 years |
Egypt protesters break through police barriers
Violence erupts during Lebanon 'day of rage'
Google hires, but Yahoo fires |
Twitter site blocked in Egypt: Harvard's Herdict |
Murdoch iPad newspaper to launch in next two weeks |
Jackson doctor denies killing singer, as trial set
Syria nets $7.6 bn from 40% tourism spike in 2010
'King's Speech' crowned head of Oscar nominees
Judi Dench, Plan B among South Bank Award winners
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Doctor pleads not guilty in Michael Jackson's death
IMF sees faster growth but recovery 'still at risk'
"The King's Speech," "True Grit" lead Oscar field
India, Indonesia clinch $15bn in business deals
Cat couple's tale of woe enchants Sundance
Music industry takes to the digital cloud
Doctor pleads not guilty in Michael Jackson's death |
Jersey Shore to shoot Season 4 in Italy |
Oprah's half-sister revelation rocks show's ratings |
Jay Leno to get Harvard Hasty pudding award |
Judi Dench, Plan B among South Bank Award winners |
Startup Ongo enters online news arena
Enraged Russian bloggers accuse leaders after blast
Google plans rival to Groupon bargain service
US-TECH Summary
Murdoch iPad newspaper to launch in next two weeks
Eric Schmidt expects another 10 years at Google
Karzai set to open Afghan parliament despite row
Kosovo says 'ready to face' organs report
Obama pushes expanding high-speed wireless service
T. rex still king, says dino study
Calm in Cairo after day of protests
Putin vows revenge for suicide bombing |
BBC World Service axes five language services
Yahoo warns of weak Q1, more cost cuts planned
Egypt opposition calls for second day of protests
Traffic noise boosts risk of stroke: study
Anger in Lebanon as Hezbollah-backed Mikati named PM
Calm in Cairo after day of protests |
Twitter confirms it is blocked in Egypt
Anger in Lebanon as Hezbollah-backed Mikati named PM
US doctors turn X-Box game into PTSD therapy
U.S. warns on ties with Hezbollah-backed Lebanon gov't
Obama backs Seoul, demands North Korea give up nukes |
Afghan parliament prepares to convene
net profit jumps, revenue slips
Afghan parliament opens, paves way for bigger battle |
will.i.am teams up with Intel
Three dead in Egyptian protests
Japan PM Kan: no plans to call snap election |
Twitter blocked in Egypt amid unrest
Hezbollah-backed Mikati named Lebanon prime minister
African states at odds on Ivory Coast crisis |
Iran not working on bomb: Israel intelligence head
Haiti government candidate to quit elections race |
Online news service launched for big papers
China PM first to meet petitioners in 60 years
U.S. pays off much of U.N. arrears, now owes $736 million |
S. Korea seeks military talks with N. Korea
Arthouse drama "Winter's Bone" makes Oscar splash
US wants Internet, cell records held longer
Obama backs Seoul, demands North Korea give up nuclear
FCC may approve cellphone use of satellite airwaves: report
"Jersey Shore" to shoot Season 4 in Italy
Family threatens suicide in Beijing property row
Heroes praised as Australia floods menace more homes
Toyota to recall 1.7 million vehicles worldwide
Global Weather-Celsius
Activists track down Japan whaling ship
Russia's lower house ratifies US nuclear pact
Oscar snubs: "Inception" director, Duvall, Kunis
Beijing holds first car number plate lottery
FACTBOX-Reactions from leading Oscar nominees
Tiananmen activist accuses HK of bowing to China
Yahoo warns of weak Q1, more cost cuts planned |
Oscar extends warm welcome to newcomer nominees
Clijsters, Zvonareva set up Open clash
Arthouse drama "Winter's Bone" makes Oscar splash
A year later, Microsoft picture looks very different |
Obama pushes expanding high-speed wireless service |
Few US kids do well in science class: study
FCC may approve cellphone use of satellite airwaves: report |
Sundance film examines 'eco-terrorists'
Twitter confirms it is blocked in Egypt |
Worst could be over for LG Elec after record Q4 loss |
Playful Poulter fails to tease tweets out of Tiger |
Moscow attack casts shadow over World Economic Forum
Seoul shares gain 1.1 pct lifted by autos, techs
Vietnam bank chief linked to Australia notes scandal
Parent of Taiwan's Foxconn enters solar power
LG Electronics falls into red in fourth quarter
China plans nationwide resource tax: report
Pakistan
King's Speech'gets royal treatment at Oscars |
Starbucks bets on India's cafe revolution
Oscar extends warm welcome to newcomer nominees |
NZ credit card billings fall in December
Oscar snubs: Inception director, Duvall, Kunis |
Seoul shares gain 1.1 pct lifted by autos, techs
Doctor pleads not guilty in Michael Jackson's death |
Jesse The Body Ventura objects to airport body scans |
Arthouse drama Winter's Bone makes Oscar splash |
FCC may approve cellphone use of satellite airwaves: report
Four Palestinians suspected of killing U.S. tourist
Tunisia seeks arrest of ousted president |
Algeria steps up grain imports, eyes Tunisia virus |
Egypt authorities ban further protests
Colombia coal mine blast kills 20: officials |
Coming next: Carry-along base station for travelers
Davos opens with power shift to South, East in focus
Afghan president inaugurates new parliament
U.N. chief says Cyprus leaders to intensify talks |
Ahmadinejad slams rivals in Iran power struggle |
Gates and Gulf prince pay for Afghan and Pakistan jabs |
Jams, red tape and graft obstruct business in Egypt |
Tablet boom boosts PC market in Q4: Canalys
Sikh shrine in Baghdad lives on in memories
Afghan president convenes new parliament
Afghan parliament prepares to convene
Insurgent strikes cast doubt on progress in Thai south
Macau casino tycoon says family brawl over
Hong Kong 10-year-olds pass UK high school exams
Sony handheld to take on Nintendo DS, smartphones |
Chinese travel agency offers new North Korea Tours to study Juche
Merkel pays tribute to 'Downfall' producer
Coming next: Carry-along base station for travelers |
Mysterious crop circle in Indonesia 'harmless'
Penelope Cruz has first child: report
Google widens access to Israel's Holocaust archives |
Philippine police suspect five in journalist murder
Taiwan teen bone collector carries on family craft
Russian parliament approves arms pact with U.S.
Manila bus bomb similar to devices used in south
N.Korea defector artist says he paints real regime
Mobile app industry to surge in 2011: Gartner |
Tablet boom boosts PC market in Q4: Canalys |
Zsa Zsa Gabor sells house 'because we're not rich'
Jesse "The Body" Ventura objects to airport body scans
Davos highlights economic power shift to East, South
Pakistani stocks, o/n rates end up; rupee firms
China to fine Carrefour, Wal-Mart for deceptive prices
Palm oil giant Sime Darby ventures into Africa
Taiwan UMC's profits surge six-fold in 2010
Fitch cuts Taiwan's local currency rating, citing fiscal outlook
Penelope Cruz has first child: report |
Shippers need to scrap vessels or delay orders to boost earnings
Pakistan to announce results of T-bills on Wednesday
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01