Original painted hanging scroll titled "The Moonlight" by Korean artist 'Ki Chang Kim'

The Chinese initials and artist pseudonym of 'Unbo' Ki Chang Kim are clearly scripted on the painting. Annotated on back of scroll is: 'To School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. The Moonlight by Ki Chang Kim. Presented by Won Ko' [Woonbo]. Chinese script characters for Ki Chang Kim also appear on the back of the scroll.

Kim Ki-Chang, widely considered one of the most important Korean painters of the 20th Century.

He suffered from typhoid fever at a young age and subsequently lost his hearing ability. As a teen, his mother introduced him to the artworld. “The Moonlight” represents an important period in the artist's life from the 1970s, where he began to solely use black ink.

"Because I have been in a silent world for a long time I do believe that I had been able to concentrate on my paintings. If it were not so, things might have been different. I think that my long term of silence separated my works from other artists. Anyway, my muteness doesn’t grieve me and I have never been saddened by it." Kim Ki-Chang (Eun Bo) (1914 - 2001)

Source: "Life and Culture in Korea" website: http://park.org/Korea/Pavilions/PublicPavilions/KoreaImage/e-information/culture/kimgc.html

Rogallery biography timeline: http://www.rogallery.com/Kim_Ki_Chang/kim_bio.htm

Also known as

Kim; Ki-Chang

Kim; Ki-ch'ang

Ki-Chang; Kim (Unbo)

Ki-Chang; Kim (Woonbo)

Ki-Chang; Kim (Eun Bo)

The painting is currently hanging outside the SOAS Directors Office. Request permission from Archivist in first instance.

Restrictions Apply

Presented by 'Won Ko' to SOAS. Date of deposit unknown.

Digital jpeg image available (T: Treasures of SOAS folder/Jpegs/MS 381154)

Ink and colour on Chinese painting paper, mounted onto paper backing and attached to wooden rod. The original was newly framed by Brunei Gallery for the purpose of the SOAS 'Gifts of Recognition Exhibition' 2012.