To commemorate the conclusion of the 2024–2025 Year of Korea–Canada Cultural Exchange, the exhibition “The Colours and Soul of Korea, Dancheong” was held in Toronto, co-organized by OIS ART OF CANADA (Chair: Jenny Lee) and MooWooSoo Gallery (Director: Yeon Sook Lee). This exhibition presented the essence of Korean traditional art in depth, bringing audiences closer to one of Korea’s most distinctive cultural heritages.

Dancheong (丹靑), literally meaning “red and blue,” refers to the traditional decorative painting on wooden architecture in Korea. More than simple ornamentation, Dancheong embodies layered significance: it serves to protect wooden structures, symbolize religious meaning, and express authority. Widely used in temples, palaces, and historic sites such as Confucian academies, Dancheong continues today as an important practice—applied in cultural heritage restoration, contemporary art creation, and even tourism design.

This exhibition featured works by 11 traditional Dancheong masters and contemporary artists, showcasing not only the original forms of Dancheong but also innovative reinterpretations in modern art. The result was a wide-ranging aesthetic spectrum bridging the ancient and the contemporary, earning high praise from audiences and critics alike.

In addition, the two organizing institutions successfully hosted a “Dancheong Workshop ” on June 7 at the Korean Cultural Centre Canada in Ottawa (Director: Seong-ryeol Kim), offering local participants a hands-on experience with Korea’s traditional art forms.