[imText1]Gregory Pence is a busy man. At the same time as both being a student and contributing cartoons to two South Korean daily newspapers, Pence is also collaborating with Song Byeok, once a North Korean propaganda artist, now an anti-Kim Jong Il defector painter based in Seoul. The two are planning to organize Song Byeok exhibitions in both Washington D.C. and Chicago next year, as well as releasing a graphic novel of Songβs tragic life in North Korea.
To the question of why, he answers simply: βTo give a voice to North Koreans who cannot speak out.β
It was through his joint activities with Song, Pence says, that he got infected with βdeep seated faithβ in the prospect of North Korean democracy. β(Song) has a deep seated faith that (Kim’s) reign will end, that reunification will happen and democracy will happen,β Pence explains. βHeβs utterly earnest and sincere in that. That is what inspires my own work.β
These projects, he adds, are βabout building cross-cultural and transnational bridges, and not about making a dollar off Song Byeokβs name.β
However, Penceβs original interest in North and South Korean society actually stems from academic curiosity about nationalism. βKorea flowed from my understanding of nationalism, here it being deeply rooted,β he says, βat points volatile, at points deeply meaningful and beautiful, nationalism in Korea connects people in profound and powerful ways.β
Through his cartoons, Pence looks at modern Korean history in both the social and political realms. For example, he says of one of his images, βThe Art of Protest: Gwangju Reduxβ, βI wanted the drawing to depict, in an honest way, the peoples struggle against authoritarianism and persecution.β
βThe beauty and power of an editorial cartoon is itβs a uniquely democratic art form,β he explains. βIt is understood by as many people as possible; this is something that can make people chuckle but can also essentially inspire protests in the streets.β
Starting with todayβs cartoon, Pence hopes also to communicate and inspire the readers of The Daily NK.
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Below is a transcript of the interview with Gregory Pence;
– What do you think editorial cartoons are for?
The beauty and power of an editorial cartoon is that itβs a uniquely democratic art form, in that what you do is to convey a complex idea simply, so that itβs understood by as many people as possible, this is something that can make people chuckle but can essentially inspire protests in the streets. People can get killed because of cartoons.
But, reactions have been for the most part awesome, as they have given me the ability to connect with parts of the Korean population which I might not otherwise have been able to. If you draw a cartoon of Kim Jong Il, say, and, then just a few people or many people, in that image, empathize and connect, I think ultimately thatβs the power of the art form.
– Do you have one cartoon that youβre particularly fond of?
I do have this one favorite cartoon and itβs the one nobody likes! There is this one image that I did after the Cheonan sinking. It was an image of Kim Jong Ilβs visage as a statue, sinking into the water. When Song Byeok and I talk about Kim Jong Il, he has a deep seated faith that his reign will end, that reunification will happen and democracy will happen. Heβs utterly earnest and sincere in that. That is what inspires my own work, right now.
– How did you begin working on Korea?
I became involved in Korea-related issues whilst I was studying nationalism as a junior at the London School of Economics. It was a field of study I found an interest in at the time because of the cultural, social and political upheaval in the States with the 2004 elections. There was also a lot of anxiety regarding terrorist attacks in London.
I was finding myself knee deep in nationalist theory and comic books. I was looking at propaganda and protest art, and how they shaped and reflected Western societies.
Korea flowed from my understanding of nationalism, here it being deeply rooted, at points volatile, at points deeply meaningful and beautiful, nationalism in Korea connects people in profound and powerful ways. Korea has given me an opportunity to further my studies and research of nationalism. I feel the topic is utterly relevant and important because we are in an area of increased connectivity and information technology.
– You did a particular cartoon about the Gwangju democracy protest of 1980. What did you want to say through that?
In a general way, I want to inspire interest in Korean history and culture. I think Korean history and culture is amazingly important, the story of Koreaβs transformation, the rise and fall of authoritarian regimes and the fight for democracy is compelling. A culture that has been through so many tragedies yet has rebounded in some pretty meaningful and powerful ways is what I hope would interest a number of audiences outside Korea.
The Gwangju democracy drawing specifically; I wanted the drawing to depict, in an honest way, the peoples struggle against authoritarianism and persecution.
– Introduce your activities with Song Byeok.
Song Byeokβs story is a meaningful and powerful story that needs to be told. What I want to lend myself to doing is depicting and honoring his story. To give a voice to North Koreans who cannot speak out, and to represent a value close to his heart. My next project is going to be a graphic novel in collaboration with Song Byeok. It is based upon interviews of his life; starting out as a 24-year old propagandist to the loss of his father, mother and sister to starvation and the regime. It will also cover his mission not only to get his younger sister across the border but also to move past nationalism and become an international commentator.
The coolest thing about him is heβs not limited to just the conflict that exists here, he is impassioned by issues of corruption and persecution and tyranny across the world. His next exhibition is going to be about the Taliban persecuting women and he wants to reflect on this in his art. I think this is very meaningful and important
– We heard that Song Byeokβs work will end up going to the U.Sβ¦
Song Byeok is going to have an exhibition in Chicago! We are working on a few things. I have reached out to a number of nonprofits like HRNK, both are US based Korea-centric nonprofits. We are also trying to establish an opening in the Washington DC area. I cannot think of a better place than Americaβs capital to show Song Byeokβs art.
Song Byeok is also going to be included in a documentary that celebrates Korean culture. The director found out about Song through an article about his art exhibition in the LA times. Benson Lee is the director of the documentary that celebrates Korean culture and will include Song Byeok’s story.
– What are you going to do eventually with the project with Song?
My thing is to stay away from the money. What Iβd like to have is a project where there is not a bottom line focus. This is something Iβm concerned about. When I was in Hollywood I saw how everything broke down into dollars and cents. I also learnt what talent meant. I am at a place now with Song Byeok where we both trust each other.
So, working on this collaboration project and considering a far reaching vision about the potentials of this becoming commercial property with dollars being made off Song Byeok name, then there is a certain level of pollution; which I donβt want to be part of.
Maybe itβll just be about creating a product that will honor Song Byeokβs name and having it published on an online news periodical such as The Daily NK, instead of giving it over to Hollywood.
All I know about is what I care most for and that is the more eyeballs we can get to see Song Byeokβs works of art, the better.
At the end of the day, this project will be, I hope, something that is legitimately about building cross cultural and transnational bridges and not about making a dollar off Song Byeokβs name.
– What is the ultimate goal of your activities?
My mission aligns with The Daily NK’s mission: reunification and democratization.
β» You can see both more cartoons by Gregory Pence and the work of Song Byeok on www.toonouttheworld.com.
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