An eight panel folding screen supporting calligraphy of an interpretation of the Eight Beatitudes (Matthew 5) in Chinese. The artist, Rev. Eun-deok Choi, has signed the work with his sobriquet, 義山 (의산; Righteous Mountain). The artist, Rev. Choi, was an acquaintance of the former President of Methodist Theological University in Seoul, Bong-bae Park, and may have originally gifted the work to him. Park, in turn, was a friend and colleague of former Emory University President and US Ambassador to Korea, James T. Laney, and possibly gifted the work to him. Ultimately, the work was gifted to Candler School of Theology by Laney.

Hidden Legacies

An Exploration of Korean Art at Pitts Theology Library

curated by Sangeon Kim, MDiv '24, and Brinna Michael

There are so many legacies within the walls of Pitts Theology Library, yet so many of those legacies remain hidden. Ever since I learned that fact, the main entrance to the library and the search bar on pitts.emory.edu have connected me to a world where those legacies are alive. It is like the closet door from the Chronicles of Narnia to me.

Through this digital exhibition, I introduce, interpret, and revise three such living legacies of Pitts Theology Library. Now, I would like to invite you to explore the hidden legacies that remain!

Sangeon Kim

피츠 신학 도서관 1층 서가 뒤 조용한 서재 공간 사이에 방문객에게 생소할 수 있는 세 가지 예술 작품이 전시되어 있습니다. 눈에 띄는 리노컷 프린트, 복잡하게 세밀한 자수 작품, 그리고 8개의 판으로 구성된 멋진 서예 병풍까지. 이 작품들은 한국, 조지아, 캔들러 신학대학원 간의 오랜 관계에 대해 우리에게 무엇을 말해 주고 있을까요? 수개월 간의 연구, 여정, 그리고 협업을 통해 김상언과 그의 수퍼바이저 브리나 마이클은 에모리 대학교, 캔들러 신학대학원, 피츠 신학 도서관과 함께 한국 예술가, 성직자, 그리고 교회 간의 연결을 구축(및 재형성)하면서 세 가지 유산의 의미와 역사를 풀어냈습니다.

이번 전시의 세 가지 핵심 작품들은 피츠 신학 도서관 1층에서 만나보실 수 있습니다.

On the first floor of Pitts Theology Library, tucked behind the stacks and amongst the quiet of the study carrels, are a trio of artworks that may be unfamiliar to visitors: a striking linocut print, an intricately detailed piece of embroidery, and an eight-paneled folding screen decorated with stunning calligraphy. What can these works tell us about the longstanding relationship between Korea, Georgia, and Candler School of Theology? Through months of research, travel, and collaboration, Sangeon Kim and Brinna Michael have unraveled three legacies of art and history, forging (and reforging) the connections between Korean artists, clergy, and churches, with Emory University, Candler School of Theology, and Pitts Theology Library.

The three core works that prompted this exhibit can be found on the first floor of Pitts Theology Library.

Artist Statement: "The title of this work, , means that all the people looking at Jesus are all my various aspect. So I named me as in plural. In the background of the painting appears the painting by Kim Hong-Do (artist of the late Joseon dynasty). All of them are figures borrowed from this painting. In the middle of this work, I borrowed the Crucifixion from

Mes (2008)

More about this item
An eight panel folding screen supporting calligraphy of an interpretation of the Eight Beatitudes (Matthew 5) in Chinese. The artist, Rev. Eun-deok Choi, has signed the work with his sobriquet, 義山 (의산; Righteous Mountain). The artist, Rev. Choi, was an acquaintance of the former President of Methodist Theological University in Seoul, Bong-bae Park, and may have originally gifted the work to him. Park, in turn, was a friend and colleague of former Emory University President and US Ambassador to Korea, James T. Laney, and possibly gifted the work to him. Ultimately, the work was gifted to Candler School of Theology by Laney.

山上聖訓

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An embroidered depiction of the original building of the Chongkyo Methodist Church on silk. Chongkyo Methodist Church was built and founded by missionaries from the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in Seoul, Korea, in the early 1900s and was part of the Seoul Circuit of the Korea Conference. The piece shows the original church building with a selection of Korean figures, men and women, approaching or walking by the church. A dedication is embroidered across the top of the work. The embroidery is done in traditional Korean style common towards the late Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) and includes intricate details, including the brickwork and roof tiles.

픔념긔별젼

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A map of the locations of the three core pieces of art featured in the Spring 2024 digital exhibition, Hidden Legacies.

Still image

Map of Core Art Pieces in the Hidden Legacies Digital Exhibition

Acknowledgements

This research has been made possible by the support and contributions of a number of individuals and organizations. Special thanks is given to the following, whose works, words, and time were generously given throughout this process.

Kyeong Ah Min, PhD (Artist, Printmaker; Website; Instagram; Blog)

Rev. Byoung-hyoun Choi (Myun-mok Central Methodist Church in Seoul)

Chongkyo Methodist Church

  • Rev. Changhee Jeon (Lead Pastor)
  • Rev. Seheon Choi (Assistant Pastor)
  • Rev. Seokwon Eum (Assistant Pastor)
  • Bongjin Lee (Lay Elder; Former Head of Chongkyo Methodist Church History Department)
  • Yookyum Kim (Lay Elder; Head of Chongkyo Methodist Church History Department)
  • Hyekyeong Park (Curator of Chongkyo Methodist Church History Department)

Thanks to Lay Elder Hyunki Shin and Lay Deacon Geonho Kim for the Chinese translations.

Thanks to Andy Deokyoung Kim (Audio), Daniel Junhyeok Lee (Filming), and Elijah Hyojin Kim (Lighting) for their assistance during the filming of the interviews.

Thanks to Dr. Edward Phillips (Methodism) and Dr. Helen Jin Kim (Korean Christianity) for their academic guidance throughout the research process.

Thanks to Kate Underwood, MDiv '26, for editing the English translations of the original Korean content.

Lastly, thanks to the staff of Pitts Theology Library, specifically:

  • Ann McShane (collection photography)
  • Elizabeth Miller (exhibition tech support)
  • Richard "Bo" Adams (project inception and administrative support)

Select a legacy to explore:

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