Asian Art Resource Room

Private art school established

In autumn, the private School of Fine Arts in Shanghai is founded. Chen Baoyi (Chair of the Western-style Painting Department), Che Zhifo, and Ni Yide teach there. The school building is demolished upon the first Shanghai Incident in 1932.

Collaboration of three painters

(1930s) Victorio Edades, Carlos Francisco, and Galo B. Ocampo co-create the mural and are called “Triumvirate.”

Exhibition of Soviet artists in Mongolia

In the 1930s, exhibitions of the Soviet artists are held, and the Soviet art teachers begin teaching in Mongolia.

Communist Party of Vietnam established

Nguyen Ai Quoc (later Ho Chi Minh) founds the Communist Party of Vietnam, which is later reorganized to the Communist Party of Indochina according to the order from the Comintern.

Prorelatian art exhibition in Korea

The 1st Proletarian Art Exhibition (Mar. 29–30, Auditorium of Hwaseong Academy, Suwon),
organized by the Suwon Branch of KAPF (Korea Artista Proleta Federacio, Federation of Korean Proletarian Artists) with Cheong Habo. The 70 out of 140 works are confiscated by the police. All works sent by the Japan Proletarian Artists League (PP) in support of the event are confiscated.

The first silk painting by Nguyen Phan Chanh

Nguyen Phan Chanh succeeds in creating the first silk painting during 1930s.

A Japanese artist teaches craft in Thailand

In the 1930s, Yokota Niro is invited to teach bamboo craft at Poh-Chang School and remains in Nonthaburi after the World War II.

Woodcut class organized by Lu Xun

The Woodcut Workshop (Summer Woodcut Class) is held from August 17 and 22 at the Society of Japanese Language, Shanghai. The workshop is organized by Lu Xun. Uchiyama Kakitsu teachs the technique with the interpretation by Lu Xun.

Artists responding to Manchurian Incident

Manchurian Incident occurs. Jiang Feng, Chen Tiegeng, and other members of the Shanghai Eighteen Art Society produce small pictorial magazines and flyers using mimeographs for Anti-Japan propaganda.

Manchuria Art Exhibition begins

The 1st Manchuria Art Exhibition (Oct. 24–28, Chamber of Commerce and Industry)

First exhibition of Chinese prints in Japan

Chinese Print Exhibition (Nov. 1–3, Institute of Imperial Art Academy, Ueno)
Exhibits Suzhou prints from collection of Okada Isajiro as well as illustrated books from collection Kuroda Genjiro. Hiratsuka Un’ichi visits and writes it is the first exhibition of Chinese prints.

Korean artists in the Exhibition of Proletarian Art

The 4th Great Exhibition of Proletarian Art (Nov. 28–Dec. 13, Tokyo Prefectural Art Museum)
With a sculpture by Suzuki Kenji, prints and a wall decoration by Muro Junji (Saito Jiro) were exhibited. An oil painting by Park Jinmyeong and posters by Park Seokjeong were exhibited.

Joseon Art Exhibition opens Craft Section

Japanese Government-General in Korean establishes Craft Category in Joseon Art Exhibition while excluding Calligraphy and Sculpture Category.

Japanese invasion

Japan begins invading Shanghai (Shanghai Incident). The battle continued until the March 6 ceasefire.

Manchukuo established

Manchukuo established

Yazaki Chiyoji exhibition

Yazaki Chiyoji visits Singapore and has a solo show organized by the Singapore Daily News.

Senten establishes the craft section

The 11th Joseon Art Exhibition (Senten) (May 29–Jun. 18, Korea Exhibition Hall, Gyeongseong). The craft section is newly established while the sculpture and calligraphy sections are discontinued. Korean juries are eliminated.

11th Joseon Art Exhibition

The 11th Joseon Art Exhibition (May 29–Jun. 18, Gyeongbokgung）
All Koreans are excluded from the jury members.

The constitutional monarch begins

The coup leads to the constitutional monarch.

Group Mashe established

Liu Haisu, Ni Yide, Wan Jiyuan, Fu Lei, Pang Xunqin, and Zhang Ruogu found the group Mashe and publish Yishu xunkan (Art issued every ten days) on Sep. 1 which continues until the 12th volumes issued in Jan. 1933.

The first exhibition of Storm Society

Jielanshe (Storm Society) holds its first exhibition (Oct. 10–16 at Chinese Learning Society, Shanghai). The group holds four exhibitions until 1935. The participating artists included Pan Xunqin, Ni Yide, Guang Liang, Liang Xihong, Li Zhongsheng, and Chen Chengbo. The Manifesto of Jielanshe is published on the Oct. 11 issue of Yishu xunkan.

Taiwanese artists increase in Taiten

The 6th Taiwan Art Exhibition (Taiten) (Oct. 25–Nov. 3.
Education Hall, The First Taipei Teachers School)
The new Taiwanese judge members led to the increase of Taiwanese artists, including Chen Jin in Eastern Painting Section and Liao Jijchun in Western Painting Section.

National Art College by an Italian sculptor in Bangkok

Corrado Feroci (later Silpa Bhirasiri) founds National Art College.

Art school opens in Kathmandu

An art school (present-day Central Deparment of Fine Arts, Tribhuvan University) is founded.

Chinese Independent Art Institute established

Artists who studied in Japan, including Liang Xihong, Zhao Shou, Ji Dongping, and Ceng Wu, found Chinese Independent Art Institute (later Association), and pursue the Surrealism and Fauvism. The group holds the Exhibition of Ten Chinese Artists in Japan in Tokyo. They hold the first exhibition at the People’s Education Hall, Guangzhou, in March and at Shanghai Chinese Learning Society in Oct. 1935.

Yazaki Choyoji works in Indonesia

Yazaki Chiyoji visits the Dutch East Indies (present-day Indonesia) and, during his three-month stay, travels various places with Sudjojono. Yazaki holds his solo exhibition at G. Kolff Co. in Batavia (present-day Jakarta) (Jul. 14–31).

Choi Yonglim begins woodcut

Choi Yonglim cretaes woodcuts supervised by Ono Tadaaki, curator of Pyeongyang Museum

Korean artist in the Print exhibition in Japan

Exhibition of Japan Print Association
A work by Choi Yeonglim was accepted which was the first appearance of Korean works in the exhibition. His works were accepted three times by 1940

Taiyang Art Association

Taiyang Art Association established
Participants are Chen Chenbo, Chen Qingfen, Yang Sanlang, Li Meishu, Li Shiqiao, Liao Jichun, Yan Shuilong, Tateishi Tetsuomi,

Modern Prints Society established

Li Hua and others from the Guangzhou Municipal School of Fine Arts form Modern Prints Society, which continues until July 1937 before the group is suspended due to the July 7 Incident.

Yazaki Chiyoji exhibition

Yazaki Chiyoji Exhibition (Jul. 14–31, Kolff Bookstore)
All 20 works in the exhibition are sold.

Manchuria Artists Association begins exhibition

The 1st Manchuria Artists Association Exhibition (Nov. 4–8, Auditorium of Manchuria Daily News)

Senten launches the nomination system and includes sculptures in craft section

The 14th Joseon Art Exhibition (Senten) (May 19–Jun 8 at Korea Exhibition Hall, Gyeongseong) launches the nomination system. The sculpture section is restored as a part of craft section.

Artists Recommendation and sculpture application restart

The 14th Joseon Art Exhibition (May 19–Jun. 8, Gyeongbokgung [former venue of exposition, Kyoshinkai Art Museum])
Sculptures are again accepted in the Craft Category.

Large woodcut exhibition by Modern Prints Society

Modern Prints Society organizes The Second Semiannual Exhibition (Jun. 15–25, Guangzhou Department of Chinese Books and Provincial People’s Education Hall). More than 800 items, of which 286 are works by member artists, are exhibited. The genres vary from Chinese modern and traditional woodcuts, folk prints, Japanese modern and traditional woodcuts, reproduction of European woodcuts, and Chinese and international publications, and woodcut-making tools.

Kim Whanki in Nika Exhibition

Kim Whanki is selected for The 22nd Nika Art Exhibition (Sept. 3–Oct. 4, Tokyo Prefectural Art Museum).

Yin Ying Art Society established

The Yin Ying Art Society (Penang Chinese Art Club) is established in Penang, with Yong Mun Sen as a leading member.

Society of Chinese Artists established

The Salon Art Society (founded in 1935) is renamed to the Society of Chinese Artists and Tchang Ju Chie is selected for the chair while Tai In Long, Chen Puzhi, and Zhou Jinhai become members. The group consider the United Artists of Malaya to be falling into elitism.

Moshe group established

Xu Beihong, Wang Yachen, Yan Wenliang, Zhu Qizhan, Zhang Chongren, and Chen Baoyi form a group Moshe, and hold their first exhibition (Jun. 19–21 at Shanghai Baxianqiao YMCA Building).

Group Pita Maha established

Pita Maha group is formed by artists includinhg Walter Spies and Rudolf Bonnet.

Chinese Art Association established

Liu Haisu, Wang Jiyuan, Pan Yuliang, Xie Haiyan, and Ni Yide form Chinese Art Association.

Articles on woodcut movements in Nanyang Siang Pau

Tai In Long starts a series of “Wenmanjie (World of Literature and Cartoon)” in the Sunday edition of Nanyang Siang Pau (Nanyang Business Daily) on May 24, which continues until December 20. The series introduces woodcuts and cartoons by Singaporean artists including himself, as well as the woodcut movements in China.

Chen Jin in Bunten

Chen Jin’s The Women of Shantimen Area (presently collection of the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum) is exhibited at Bunten Jury’s Review Exhibition (Oct. 16–Nov. 3, Tokyo Prefectural Art Museum). Tours to Kyoto (Nov. 13–27, Okazaki Park, Kyoto Art Museum).

Group Persagi established

Sudjojonoi, Abdussalam and Agus Djaya formed “Persagi (the Federation of Indonesian Painters),” which became the first artists’ collective led by Indonesian artists and continued until 1942.

Korean artist in Dokuritsu Exhibition

Yu Yeongkuk exhibits Rhahsody in Dokuritsu Exhibition

Burma wins independence

Burma (present-day Myanmar) is separated from the Empire of India and becomes an independently administered colony within the British Empire.

Marco Polo Bridge Incident

The Marco Polo Bridge Incident occurrs, and Japanese troops begins a full-scale invasion of China.

Korean artists in Jiyu Bijutsu Exhibition

Kim Whanki exhibited his work at The 1st Jiyu Bijutsuka Kyokai (the Association of Free Artists) Exhibition (Jul. 10–19 at Japan Art Association, Tokyo) as a semi-member artist. Yu Yeonguk, Mun Haksu, and Chu Hyun also exhibit their works.

The second United Front against Japan

The second United Front, an alliance between the Guomintang and the Chinese Communist Party, is formed to resist the Japanese invasion of China.

Royal palace painter in Nepal

Tej Bahadhur Chitrakar becomes a royal palace artist.

Lacquer painting taught in art school

Lacquer painting is included in the curriculum at École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine.

Choi Yeonglim meets Munakata Shiko

Introduced by Ono Tadaaki, Pyeongyang Museum, Choi Yeonglim meets Munakata Shiko who tutors for printmaking.

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts opens

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) is established by Lin Hak Tai, modeled after the progressive school in Shanghai.

Lu Xun Art Academy opens

Initiated by Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, Lu Xun Art Academy is inaugurated in Yan’an. As the literature departments are added in July, the school is renamed the Lu Xun Art and Literature Academy.

Tokyo Art Association by Korean artists

Formed by Korean artists studying in Tokyo. The exhibition of member artists is held.
Hwashin Department Store Gallery

Manten begins

The 1st Manchuria Fine Arts Exhibition (Manten) (May 2–11 at Xinjing Anniversary Hall and Taijinlu Elementary School). The exhibition continued until the 8th edition in 1945.

Futen begins

The 1st Taiwan Governor-General’s Art Exhibition (Futen) (Oct. 21–Nov. 3, Taiwan Education Association Building, Taipei).
The exhibition continued until the 6th edition in 1943.

Art school opens in Ulaanbaatar

Evening art school is opened in Ulaanbaatar.

National School of Art and Music opens in Rangoon

National School of Art and Music is opened in Rangoon (present-day Yangon). A painter, San Win, serves as the first director.

Siam renamed

Siam becomes Thailand.

World War II erupts

Germany invades Poland, the eruption of World War II.

Xu Beihong in India

Xu Beihong stays in Santiniketan and visits various places in India from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1940. During his stay, Xu creates his master piece, The Foolish Old Man Moves a Mountai. He paints portraits of Rabindranath Tagore and Mahatma Gandhi and holds his solo exhibitions at International University in Calcutta from Dec. 23 and at the Indian Society of Oriental Art in February next year. Before and after these exhibitions, he also visits Singapore.

University of the Punjab establishes art department for women students

University of the Punjab in Lahore founds the Department of Fine Arts. A female painter, Anna Molka Ahmad, serves as the department director and accepts only female students until 1954.

Japanese troops in north French Indochina

Japanese troops occupy French Indochina (until August 1941). French Indochina is placed under the joint control of France and Japan.

Japanese and Taiwanese artists in Hoshuku Memorial Exhibition

Kigen 2600 Year Memorial Exhibition (Oct. 1–Nov. 24,
Tokyo Prefectural Art Museum)

Suzuki Shigenari teaches in Cambodia

In the late 1940s, Suzuki Shigenari begins teaching in the modern art course at the School of Cambodian Art. He teaches French-influenced Impressionistic realism until the 1950s. He also creates royal portraits. He holds his solo exhibition once a year, and King Sihanouk collects some of his paintings.

The Thirteen Moderns established

The Thirteen Moderns is formed as an unofficial group of artists studying Modernism.

Exibition of Korean artists in Japan

Jin Hwan, Lee Quode, Lee Jungseop, Korean artists active in Japan, form New Artists Association
They hold exhibitions in Tokyo and Seoul.

Japanese troops in Manila

Japanese troops advance into Manila.

Viet Minh formed

The League for the Independence of Vietnam (Viet Minh) is formed and anti-French and anti-Japanese movements erupt throughout the nation.

Japanese troops in south French Indochina

Japanese troops advance into the southern part of French Indochina.

Exhibition of Japanese art in Vietnam

French Indochina Japanese Art Exhibition Tour is held at l’Association pour la Formation Intellectuelle et Morale des Annamites (AFIMA) in Hanoi. The exhibition is organized by the Society for International Cultural Relations and supported by the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts. On September 9 and 10, the preview is held at the Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store. After Hanoi, the exhibition tours to Haiphong, Hue, and Saigon (present-day Ho Chi Minh City). Fujita Tsuguharu is sent as an explainer.

Thai artist studies in Japan

Chitr Buabusaya studies at Tokyo Fine Arts School as a research student for two years and is influenced by French Impressionism. He returns to Thailand in 1946.

Japanese troops in British Malaya

Japanese troops advance into British Malaya. It occupies Singapore, and the British surrenders on February 15.

Pacific War begins

Japan attacks Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, which marks the beginning of the Pacific War.

Mukai Junkichi visits Philippines

Mukai Junkichi visits Philippines
Arrive at Manila on Jan. 1 and stays there until Sept. when ordered to return to Japan. He appreciates works by Hidalgo and Juan Luna.

Art college opens in Delhi

College of Art, Delhi is founded.

Union of Mongolian Artists established

Union of Mongolian Artists is founded, with Dodiin Choidog as the chair.

Japan Force lands Indonesia

Japan Force lands and invades East Java, Dutch territory.
All parts become under Japanese military occupation in March.

Ono Saseo moves to Indonesia

Publicity team of Japan including Ono Saseo land Indonesia.

Inokuma Gen’ichiro moves to Philippines

Inokuma Gen’ichiro stays in the Philippines as a military painter until September.

Mao Tsedong’s Yan’an Talks

Mao Tsedong presents lectures at the literature forum on May 2 and 3, which is later published as Talks at the Yan’an Forum on Literature and Art. The lectures become the foundation of the Communist Party’s cultural policies.

Discussion on Philippine culture

Discussion “Philippine Culture Seen by Painters”
Participants include Mukai Junkichi, Suzuki Eijiro, Tanaka Saichiro, Terauchi Manjiro, Inokuma Gen’ichiro, Wada Sanzo, and the director of Manila Branch, the Asahi Shimbun.

Thai artist solo exhibition in Japan

Chitr Buabusaya Solo Exhibition is held (Jul. 29–Aug. 2 at Galerie Nichido, Tokyo) organized by the Japan Thailand Association.

Japan-Philippine artists exchange

Meeting for Japan-Philippine artists exchange
Manila Hotel
(Japan) Mukai Junkichi, Abe Yoshifumi (Nobuya), Inokuma Gen’ichiro, Sato Kei, Hino Ashihei et al.
(Philippines) Fernando Amorsolo, Victorio Edades, Hernando Ocampo, Galo Ocampo, et al.

Putera movement established

Putera (Center of the People’s Power) is founded. It is a socio-cultural organization managed by politician Sukarno, Mohammad Hatta, educator Ki Hajar Dewantara, and religious leader Kiai Haji Mansoer. Sudjojono and Affandi direct in the art section.

Myanmar artist exhibition

Burmese landscape by Ngwe Gaing (Mar. 9–14)

Keimin Bunka Shidosho established

Japanese military founds Keimin Bunka Shidosho (Institute for People’s Education and Cultural Guidance), and its branch is opened in Bandung, Yogyakarta, and Surabaya. The New Java Life Art Exhibition is held in April and continued to the 5th exhibition in 1945. The director of Art and Craft Department is Agus Djaya, and the tutoring committee members include Kono Takashi (graphic designer), Yamamoto Tadashi (painter), and Ono Saseo (manga atist).

Exhibition of Vietnamese paintings in Japan

French Indochina Contemporary Art Exhibition is held (Jun. 2–6 at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store, Tokyo). The exhibition is organized by the Society for International Cultural Relations and supported by the Intelligence Agency of Ministry of Greater East Asia. Artists from French Indochina, including Joseph Inguimberty, To Ngoc Van, and Luong Xuan Nhi, and students from the École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine, Gia Dinh Fine Arts School, and Bien Hoa Fine Arts School exhibit their works. The exhibition tours to Osaka (Jun. 23–27, Shinsaibashi Daimaru), Kobe (Jul. 13–18, Sannomiya Shrine Shin Daimaru), Kyoto (Aug. 24–29, Daimaru), and Fukuoka (Sep. 19–26, Tamaya). Prince Takamatsu, the director of the Society for International Cultural Relations, buys Nguyen Van The’s lacquer folding screen.

Vietnamese painters visit Japan

The Society for International Cultural Relations invites three painters to Japan. Nguyen Nam Son and Luong Xuan Nhi arrive on Jul. 12 and Nguyen Van The on Jul. 19, and stay until Sept. 26. According to a request from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, painter Sekiguchi Shungo serves as a guide.

43 Group established

The 43 Group is founded in Colombo and holds their first exhibition in November.

Burma becomes a sovereign state

Japan declares Burma a fully sovereign state, which continues until March 27, 1945, when British occupies the country.

Pakachung Art School becomes a university

Pakachung Art School becomes a university (present-day Silpakorn University) with the Department of Painting and Sculpture.

All Java Art Exhibition

All Java Art Exhibition is held (Nov. 3–12 at Keimin Bunka Shidosho Annex, Jakarta)

EBAI moves from Hanoi in Japanese bombing

Hanoi is bombed and École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine is moved to three locations, Department of Applied Art to Dalat, Architecture and most of Sculpture to Phu Ly, and Painting and the rest of Sculpture to Son Tay.

KALIBAPI opens the first open-call exhibition

KALIBAPI (Association for Service to the New Philippines) organizes The 1st People’s Art Exhibition at Japan Culture Center, Manila. Carlos Francisco receives the award next year.

Salon Unique opens

The first government-run art exhibition, Salon Unique 1943 (Dec. 10–20 at l’Association pour la Formation Intellectuelle et Morale des Annamites [AFIMA, Hanoi]), attracts more than 2,000 visitors in the first two days in the midst of an air raid.

Institute of Art opens

Ba Nyan and other artists found the Institute of Art in Burma under the Japanese occupation.

Zubeida Agha solo exhibition of modernism art

Zubeida Agha holds her solo exhibition in Karachi. The exhibition introduces the first modernist painting in Pakistan and shocks the art world there.

Ono Saseo Exhibition

Ono Saseo Exhibition (–Feb, 15, Keimin Bunka Shidosho)

Exhibition of Japanese artists in Indonesia

The exhibition of the Keimin Bunka Shidosho workers are held between Apr 3 and 13 at Keimin Bunka Shidosho, Jakarta. Ono Saseo, Tamura Mitsuru, and Yoshioka Atsushi.

The last Joseon Exhibition

The 23rd Joseon Art Exhibition (Jun. 4–22, Art Museum of Japanese Government-Genera [Gyeongbokgung])

National Art and Architectural Exhibition and Competition under Japanese rule

The 2nd National Art and Architectural Exhibition and Competition (Jun. 19–Jul. 19, Nippon Bunka Kaikan [Japan Culture House])
Organized by KALIBAPI, Kapisanan ng Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas. Chief jury is Victorio Edades, and other juries are Wakita Kazu and Francisco B. Icasiano. Chief jury for Architectural section is Cesar H. Concio and other juries are Gines Rivera and Sakakura Junzo. Chief jury for sculpture is Guillermo Tolentino, and other juries are Juan M. Arellano and Sakakura Junzo.

Institute of Fine Arts opens

The Institute of Fine Arts (later the School of Art and Design) is founded.

Kyoto City Technical School of Art begins to teach women students

The Kyoto City Technical School of Painting is renamed to the Kyoto City Technical School of Art and becomes coeducational.

Japanese troops surrender after the battle with the Allied Forces

The battle between the Allied Forces and Japan (Feb. 3–Mar. 3) results in more than 100,000 deaths in Manila and 1 million deaths throughout the country. Japan surrenders at the end.

Independence of Kampuchea fails

Due to the disarmament of French Indochina, the King Sihanouk proclaims the independence of the Kingdom of Kampuchea. The independence is canceled as British-French Allied troops occupy Phnom Penh.

Indochina Art Schoool closed

Indochina Art School closes after the completion of the Japanese military occupation.

Korea wins independence, north-south division

As Japan surrenders, Korea wins its independence from Japan. The Korean Peninsula is divided along the 38th parallel north, and the Soviet Union occupies the north, while the United States occupy the south.

Toward the establishmement of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam

Viet Minh led by Ho Chi Minh causes the August Revolution. Emperor Bao Dai abdicates and the provisional government of Democratic Republic of Vietnam is established.

Indonesia declares independence, begins the war for independence from the Netherlands

Sukarno and Mohammad Hatta declare the independence of Indonesia. Sukarno is elected as the first president and leads the Independence War against the Netherlands, which ends on December 17, 1949.

North Vietnam established

Ho Chi Minh declares the independence, and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam is established.

Korean Proletarian Arts Federation established

Korean Proletarian Arts Federation is founded. It is renamed the Korean Arts League.

EBAI reopens

To Ngoc Van reopens l’École des Beaux-Arts de l’Indochine.

Exhibition in Celebration of National Independence

The Art Exhibition in Celebration of National Independence is held (Oct. 20–30 at Seokjojoen Hall, Deoksugung, Seoul) by the Korean Art Construction Headquarters.

Ehwa Womans University founds art department

Ehwa Womans University founds the Department of Fine Arts.

Joseon Artists Association established

Ko Huidong disbands the Korean Art Construction　Headquarters and establishes the Joseon Artists Association.

SIM group established

S. Sudjojono, Trisno Sumardjo, Sunindyo, and Suraji form Young Indonesian Artists’ Collective called SIM (Seniman Indonesia Muda) in Yogyakarta.

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts restarts

Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts restarts for the first time after its suspension in 1942. Migrated Chinese artists who studied Western art in China in the 1930s teach at the school.

Re-organization of artist groups

Artists who withdraw from the Joseon Artists Association, together with the Joseon Art Alliance, forms the Joseon Artist Alliance on Feb. 23, and then the Joseon Plastic Arts Alliance on 28. Both groups, with Josen Sculptors Association, jointly form the Joseon Art League on Nov. 10.

Joseon University established art department

Joseon University in Gwangju founds the Department of Art.

Philippines declares independence

The Philippines declares independence from the United States.

Civil War between KMT and CCP

The KMT-CCP Alliance collapses and the Civil War breaks out.

Seoul National University opens art department

Collage of Art in Seoul National University opens the Department of Fine Arts.

Eight-year War of Resistance Woodcut Exhibition followed by a tour to Japan

The All China Woodcut Association organizes the Eight-year War of Resistance Woodcut Exhibition (Sep. 18–Oct. 3 at Daxin Company Gallery, Shanghai). In total, 860 artworks by 113 artists are exhibited, of which about 200 works are taken on tours around Japan in the next February.

North Korean Art Federation

North Korean Art Federation is founded under the North Korean Federation of Literature and Art (founded in March). Its members increased 688 artists in 1949.

Zenshobiten begins

The Taiwan Fine Art Exhibition (Zenshobiten) is held (Oct. 22–31 at Zhongshan Hall, Taipei).
Yang Sanlang and Kuo Hsueho serve as an advisor. The exhibition is co-organized by the Taiyang Art Society and the government, modeled after Taiten under the Japanese occupation.

The first Indochina War erupts, EBAI closed

French troops begins attacking the Viet Minh in Haiphong, starting the first Indochina War (ended in 1954). Art schools are closed, and the artists moved from Hanoi to Viet Bac.

Progressive Artists’ Group established

F. N. Souza, M. F. Husain, H. A. Gade, S. K. Bakre, K. H. Ara, and S. H. Raza form the Progressive Artists’ Group (PAG) in Bombay (present-day Mumbai).

Drawing class begins at University of Indonesia

Dutch lectures, including Ries Mulder, open drawing class at the Department of Science and Technology, University of Indonesia in Bandung (present-day Faculty of Arts and Design, Bandung Institute of Technology).

Association of Korean Artists in Japan

Association of Korean Artists in Japan established.

Exhibition of Chinese prints in Kobe

Exhibition of Collective Print in Early Republic of China, (Feb. 3–8, Daimaru Department Store Kongsi Gallery, Kobe), organized by print artists in Kobe including Kawanishi Hide.
Organized by the China New Collective Print Association with Li Pingfan, with 68 works in 1930-33 Lu Xun donated to Uchiyama Kakitsu. The visitors are more than 20,000 people. The exhibition tours to Osaka and Kyoto.

Chinese Woodcut Exhibition becomes popular

The Chinese Woodcut Exhibition is held (Feb. 19–28 at the Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store, Tokyo). The exhibition features the works from the Eight-year War of Resistance Woodcut Exhibition that are donated by the All China Woodcut Association to Shimada Masao of the Institute of China-Japan Culture Study. Daily visitors to the exhibition reach approximately 1,200.

February 28 Incident erupts

An investigator from the monopoly bureau assaults a woman selling black-market cigarettes and takes her cigarettes and sales. One of the people in the crowd is shot dead during the event, which leads to the February 28 Incident.

A woodcut depicting February 28 Incident appears in Chinese newspaper

Huang Rongcan, under the name of Li Jun, posts his work, The Horrifying Inspection (the February 28 Incident), in the newspaper, Wenhuipao.

Exhibition of Chinese prints in Tokyo

Exhibition of Early Chinese Woodcuts
China Institute, Kanda
With exhibits in Kobe and more from Uchiyama Kakitsu’s collection and others by Yan’an artists from Kaji Wataru’s collection.

Exhibition of Chinese prints in Kobe

Eight-year War of Resistance Woodcut Exhibition
(May 12–20, Kobe Economy University [present-day Kobe University])

Exhibition of Chinese prints in Tokyo

Exhibition of Modern Chinese Woodcut Pictures (May 19–24, Ginza Mistukoshi Department Store), organized by the Institute of China-Japan Culture Study.

Aung San assassinated

Aung San, former president of the Anti-Fascist People’s Freedom League, is assassinated along with his fellow ministers.

The First National Art Exhibition in Pyeongyang

The First National Art Exhibition of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea opens organized by the North Korea Art Federation.

Pakistan wins the independence

Pakistan wins the independence from the United Kingdom.

India wins the independence

India wins the independence from the United Kingdom.

Art school opens in Pyongyang

Pyongyang Art School is founded.

It is promoted to National Art School in 1949, and renamed Pyeongyang Art University in October 1952.

The Conference of the All Japan New Woodcut Movements

“The Conference of the All Japan New Woodcut Movements in Commemoration of the 11th Anniversary of the Passing of Mr. Lu Xun” is held in Fukuroda Onsen, Ibaraki. Institute of China-Japan Culture Study organized the event with the support from the Formative Print Association, Kokugakai, Japan Art Association, Council of Workplace Art, Okukuji Print Society, Uchiyama Bookstore, and Daigo Town Board of Education. The Exhibition of Woodcut Festival is also held during the conference.

The first Indo-Pakistani War

The first Indo-Pakistani War over Kashmir breaks out (ends in Dec. 31, 1948).

Dhaka Art School opens

Dhaka Art School is founded. It is named East Pakistan College of Arts and Crafts in 1963, Bangladesh College of Arts and Crafts in 1972, and becomes an art institute in 1983 before becoming a Faculty of Fine Arts at the University of Dhaka in 2008.

Cho Yanggyu moves to Japan

Cho Yanggyu stows away to Japan to prevent arrest by the authorities due to his activities in South Joseon Labor Party,

New subcommittees of Arts under North Korea Federation of Literature and Art

North Korea Federation of Literature and Art establishes new special subcommittees of painting, sculpture, craft, and stage design departments.

Gandhi assassinated

Gandhi is assassinated in Delhi.

Burma wins independent

Burma gains independent from Britain, and U Nu becomes the first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Burma.

Federation of Malaya established

The Federation of Malaya is established.

Ceylon wins independent

Ceylon becomes independent as the British Crown colony.

Art Association of the Philippines founded

Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) is founded by 13 members.

Jeju April 3 Incident

The Jeju Uprising (Jeju April 3 Incident) occurs.

Emergency declared, Communist Party suppressed

Following an armed uprising by the Malaya Communist Party, Britain declares a state of emergency (continued until 1960) and suppresses the Communist Party.

South Korea established

President Lee Seungman declares the establishment of the government of the Republic of Korea. Korea Art Alliance dissolves its activities.

North Korea established

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) becomes independent.

New Realistm Group established

Kim Whanki, Yoo Youngkuk, and Lee Kyusang form New Realistm Group, advocating pure art. Holds the 1st exhibition at Hwashin Gallery.

National Exhibition of Art begins in Thailand

Silpakorn University organizes The 1st National Exhibition of Art, which continues today. Misiem Yipintsoi, who studied oil painting under Satomi Munetsugu (Monet), won the gold medal in painting.

Neo-Realist group established

Hernando R. Ocampo, Manansala, and Cesar Legaspi, and others formed Neo-Realist, advocating modernism.

Mori Kinsen returns to Japan

Mori Kinsen is arrested by the Allied Forces and forcibly sent back to Japan.

Quak Inshik participates in Nika

Quac Inshik participates in the reestablished Nika Exhibition.

Tokyo Fine Arts School becomes a university

Tokyo Fine Arts School is named Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music.

Hongik University establishes art department

Hongik University opens the Department of Fine Arts.

People’s Republic of China established

People’s Republic of China is established.

Exhibition of Chinese prints in Tokyo

Exhibition of Chinese Woodcut (Oct. 12–20, General Assembly Hall for Society of Chinese Students in Japan)
Organized by the Society of Chinese Students in Japan and All Japan Federation of Chinese Studies Students. 75 works from the collection of the National Association of Chinese Woodcut (Tokyo Office), 60 from the Institute of China Japan Cultural Study, 15 from Uchiyama Bookstore are exhibited.

National Art Exhibition begins in Seoul

The First National Art Exhibition (Kokuten) is held (Nov. 21–Dec. 11 at Gyeongbokgung Museum, Seoul). This first national exhibition after the liberation is organized by the Korean government. After being interrupted by the Korean War, it resumes in 1953 and continues until the 30th exhibition in 1981.

Guomintang government moves to Taipei

The Guomintang government moves the capital to Taipei.

Indonesia declares independence

Indonesia declares its independence following the Hague Agreement on November 2. The United States of Indonesia is established (until Aug 15, 1950).