Seen from the outside, North Korean art is all too often brushed aside as nothing but propaganda. By the same token, North Korean artists are reduced to mere executioners of political directives. If one zooms in more closely, a different picture appears, that is both more complex and more dynamic. For starters, the North Korean art world does not abide by the modern notion of art as a realm onto itself, but considers art to be subservient to higher ideals: the people, the party, the leader and the revolution. At the same time, North Korean art theory is quite outspoken in its advocacy of the individuality of artistic talent. The key to resolving this apparent contradiction is to be found in the social organization of the North Korean art world. All professional artists are ultimately employees of one of the many art studios that dot the country. As employees, they execute the orders of their employer, who hands out whatever commission comes down from the political center. When it comes to executing such commissioned works, the artists are left to their own creative devices. Given that they are socialized into assuming their social and political obligations as artists, they do not stray from the ideological path, but rather echo the ideological choices from the center.
Based upon interviews and extensive fieldwork (2018), I discuss the specific role of art studios in facilitating and controling individual artists and their creativity.
Mots clés : North Korea|Art theory|Art practice |Art studio|fieldwork
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