Author's Note 

This year, 2010, is a meaningful year as it marks the 100th anniversary of the death of An Jung-geun. However, as it is also a year of shame as it marks the 100th anniversary of the usurpation of national sovereignty, i.e. the forced annexation of Korea and Japan, we must reflect on its many meanings. There are many commemorative events taking place in various fields, but as an art exhibition, the <Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall> was newly built and opened in Namsan on October 26th to coincide with the anniversary of Ahn Jung-geun's assassination, and the magnificent figures of many independence activists are reproduced in oil paintings at Anyang's Pyeongchon Art Hall. 

I am happy to present it to visitors as [Korean Independence Exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of Ahn Jung-geun's death]. This work includes Ahn Jung-geun, Yun Bong-gil, Kim Jwa-jin, Kang Woo-gyu, Lee Jae-myung, Hong Beom-do, Yu Gwan-sun, and Lee Bong-chang. ), Jaehyuk Park Syngman Rhee, Kim Gu, Lee Si-young, Shin Chae-ho, and Park Eun-sik, who devoted themselves to the liberation and independence movement in the Provisional Government and the Provisional National Assembly, as well as the righteousness of people such as Park Jae-ho and others. Leaders such as Park Jeong-hyeon, Jo So-ang, Lee Dong-nyeong, Ahn Chang-ho, and Lee Hoi-yeong, Nam Nam-hyeon, Kim Maria, and Ahn Jung-geun's mother. 

There are about 40 people, including women such as Mrs. Jo Maria, and foreigners such as Hulbert, Schofield, Chiang Kai-shek, and Sun Wen, and among them, this is the first oil painting. There are a lot of people. Anyone who reads literature to show the full spirit of people with strong and pure national spirit will realize how painful and noble their activities are. Since my first solo exhibition, I have exhibited portraits of 30 people, and have held the [Cho-Poong Exhibition] which includes both portraits and landscapes. In particular, my work on independence activists has many differences. For the exhibition, since last year, we have visited memorial sites in various places to collect related materials and literature and interviewed people involved. 

In particular, while concentrating on production, we were deeply moved to learn about the noble activities and dedication of these people through various documents. In fact, the images of independence activists can only be seen in black and white photos, except for a few memorial halls. If we produce various works about these independence activists and have them in contact with us as if they were always right next to us, our human lives themselves will be further enhanced, and I think it will be a lesson that we can all take together toward a valuable life today. Portraits are, in fact, not just a look at their faces, but also their noble spirit. This is not an easy task, but if we can show the viewer at least a little of the full spirit of those who have stronger and purer national spirit than anyone else, it will be a great opportunity to see the spirit of the people who have been around for a long time. 

I believe this will bring meaningful results to our work. After the special exhibition <Korean Independence Exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the death of An Jung-geun> for 10 days from November 19th to 28th at the An Jung-geun Memorial Hall, the exhibition <The Martyrdom of An Jung-geun> was held for 7 days from December 1st to December 7th at the Pyeongchon Art Hall in Anyang. To commemorate the 100th anniversary, we are planning to hold an exhibition of Korean Independence. And some of the works are scheduled to be exhibited as part of the <Independence Movement Meritorious Persons Exhibition> held at the National Assembly Hall (1st floor lobby hall) for three days from November 15th to November 17th, hosted by the National Veterans Culture and Arts Association. 

We would like to thank the An Jung-geun Memorial Hall, the Ahn Jung-geun Adoration Association, the An Jung-geun Memorial Hall Construction Committee, the Independence Hall of Korea, the Baekbeom Kim Gu Memorial Hall, the War Memorial of Korea, the Woodang Lee Hoi-young Memorial Hall, and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, who have actively cooperated with this exhibition by providing exhibition space, exhibition promotion, materials, and sponsorship. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the National Veterans Culture and Arts Association, Anyang City Hall, Anyang Culture and Arts Foundation, and various organizations and people who encouraged my work and production. 

Western painter Jo Yeong-gyu - Author's Note

Chosun Ilbo news article on Ahn jung-guen's independence activist special exhibition  

Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall Special Invitational Exhibition

Outside the Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall

Inside the Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall

Next to the statue of Ahn Jung-geun

Commemorative photo with Director Ahn Jung-geun Memorial Hall and other staff

Visit by Monk Park Sam-jung of Jabisa Temple

Opening ceremony of a special exhibition at Pyeongchon Art Center in Anyang-city

Pyeongchon Art Center exhibition, opening speech by Anyang Mayor Choi Dae-ho

Lee Sang-jae (1850~1927) Presidential Medal 1962,

Oil on canvas, 60.6x45.5cm, 2010

Park Eun-sik (1859-1925) Presidential Medal of Merit for National Foundation 1962,

Oil on canvas, 60.6x45.5cm, 2010

Kang Woo-gyu (1859-1920) Director of the Republic of Korea 1962

Oil on canvas, 60.6x45.5cm, 2010

Min Yeong-hwan (1861-1905) Director of the Republic of Korea 1962

Oil on canvas, 72.7x53.0cm 2009

Son Byeong-hee (1861-1922) Director of the Republic of Korea 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2009
Homer Bezaleel Hulbert 1863-1949 Taegeuk Medal 1950

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2009

Oh Se-chang (1864-19530 President 1962)

Oil on canvas, 60.6x45.5cm, 2010

Seo Jae-pil (1864-1951) Director of the Republic of Korea 1977

Oil on canvas, 65.2x45.5cm, 2010

Son Moon (1866-1925) Medal of the Order of the Republic of Korea, 1953

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

Lee Hoi-young (1867-1932) Medal of Independence, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

General Hong Beom-do (1868-1943) Presidential Medal of Honor, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

Lee Si-young (1868-1953) Medal of the Order of the Republic of Korea, 1949

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

Lee Dong-nyeong (1869-1940) Presidential Medal of Honor, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x45.5cm, 2010

Yang Gi-tak (1871-1938) Presidential Medal of Honor, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

Nam Jha-hyeon (1872-1933) Presidential Medal of Honor, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

Syngman Rhee (1875-1965) Korea Foundation Medal, 1949

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

Kim Gu (1876-1949) Order of Merit of the Republic of Korea 1962

Oil on canvas, 91-73cm, 2010

Kim Dong-sam (1878-1937) Presidential Medal of Honor, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

Ahn Chang-ho (1878-1938) Order of Merit of the Republic of Korea, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2009

Ahn, Joong-Keun (1879~1910) 1962 National Foundation Medal, Republic of Korea Medal

Oil on canvas, 117x92cm, 2010

Birthplace: Haeju, Hwanghae, childhood name: Ahn Eung-chil

 At a young age, he mastered Chinese classics, mathematics, horseback riding, archery, and shooting, and also worked as a civil servant

Entered Catholicism in 1895, and was baptized Thomas by Father Wilhelm

1907 Establishment of Samheung School and Donui School, implementation of national education

1908 Position as Lieutenant General of the Staff of the Korean Volunteer Army in Vladivostok and Military Commander of the Aryeong District

1908 Organizing the National Association, Ilsimhoe and Dongui Association, responsible for promoting patriotic ideology and military training

1909 12 people gathered together to form the Danjihoe, and Ahn Jung-geun pledged to assassinate Ito Hirobumi (second class bakmun)

1909.3.29 At Harbin Station in Manchuria, Ito Hirobumi, the main culprit of the invasion of Joseon, was executed with a pistol

1910 at Lushun Prison

The anti-Japanese independence movement, which received strength from Ahn Jung-geun, later received the active support of President Chiang Kai-shek of the Chinese National Party and the favorable response of U.S. President Roosevelt, and the matters related to Korean independence were specially recorded in the Cairo Declaration. , which came to fruition with the liberation of August 15. After I die, bury my bones next to Harbin Park and bring them back to my homeland when the country is restored. Even when I go to heaven, I will work hard for our country's independence. When the sound of Korean independence is heard in heaven, I will dance and shout for national independence.

Kim Chang-suk (1879-1962) Medal of the Republic of Korea, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

Han Yong-un (1879-1944) Order of Merit of the Republic of Korea, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2009

Shin Chae-ho (1880-1936) Presidential Medal of Honor, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x53.0cm, 2009

Kim Gyu-sik (1880-1945) Order of Merit of the Republic of Korea, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2009

Jo Man-sik (1883-1950) Republic of Korea Medal, 1970

Oil on canvas,65.2x53.0cm, 2010

Lee Jae-myeong (1886-1910) Presidential Medal of Honor, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

Cho Yong-eun (1887-1958) Order of Merit of the Republic of Korea, 1989

Oil on canvas, 72.7x53.0cm, 2010

Chiang Kai-shek (1887-1975) Republic of Korea Medal 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm 2010

Frank William Schofield (1889-1968) National Foundation Medal, 1968

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2009

Kim Jwa-jin (1889-1930) Order of Merit of the Republic of Korea, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2009

Ahn Jae-hong (1891-1961) Presidential Medal of Honor, 1989

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

Shin Ik-hee (1892-1956) Order of Merit of the Republic of Korea, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x53.0cm, 2010

Maria Kim (1892-1944) Medal of Independence Medal, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

Park Jae-hyuk (1895-1921) Medal of Independence Medal, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

Baek Jeong-gi (1896-1934) Medal of Independence Medal, 1963

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010 

Lee Bong-chang (1900-1932) Presidential Medal of Honor, 1962

Oil on canvas, 65.2x45.5cm, 2010

Ham Seok-heon (1901-1984) National Foundation Medal, 2002

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

Shim Hoon (1901-1936) Patriotic Medal 1990

Oil on canvas, 45.5x53.0cm, 2009

Martyr Yu Gwan-sun (1902-1920) Medal of Independence Medal, 1962

Oil on canvas, 91.0x72.7cm, 2010

Lee Won-rok (1904-1944) Patriotic Medal, 1990

Oil on canvas, 65.2x50.0cm, 2010

Yun Bong-gil (1908-1932) Republic of Korea Medal, 1962

Oil on canvas, 91.0x65.2cm, 2009

Yun Dong-ju (1917-1945] Medal of Independence, 1990

Oil on canvas, 45.5x53.0cm, 2010