Over the past 15 years, more than 40 artists from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) have participated in artistic exchanges at the “creation base of DPRK painters in China,” located in Mudanjiang, Heilongjiang province. Established in August 2011, this facility is reportedly the only overseas base that the DPRK has set up for art creation, exhibition, and sales, according to Cheng Wujun, the base’s director.

The base functions as a platform for cultural exchange between China and the DPRK, presenting authentic North Korean artworks to the Chinese market. Artists from the DPRK are stationed on-site to create new pieces and to produce custom works for collectors and businesses, facilitating direct collaboration across borders. Cheng described this face-to-face creative approach as unique within the DPRK’s international art cooperation.

DPRK paintings exhibited at the base are characterized by a creative philosophy emphasizing purity and simplicity, combined with realistic artistic techniques. The works display distinct emotional interpretations and national pride, reflecting the aspirations of the North Korean people, Cheng said. The DPRK recognizes its prominent artists with titles such as “People’s Artist” and “Meritorious Artist,” which denote high standing in the country’s art community.

Besides facilitating exhibitions and sales, the base also authenticates artwork and regulates the market by providing authoritative certification, unified numbering, and other services. Cheng himself was honored in 2012 with the title of “cultural ambassador for the DPRK-China art exchange” by the DPRK government, notable for being the only foreign recipient.

Cheng has organized exhibitions featuring contemporary DPRK paintings in several Chinese cities, including Harbin, Xi’an, Guangzhou, Shanghai, and Beijing. He noted the vibrant colors and uplifting tone of the paintings, as well as the professionalism of DPRK artists, exemplified by their meticulous attention to detail and dedication to their craft.

In April 2023, Cheng expanded the initiative by establishing a new creation base in Dalian, Liaoning province, where some DPRK artworks have been exhibited at the Dalian Wanzhongyunqang Technology Incubation Park. Jin Lin, director of the park’s business development and operations department, reported that nearly 100 paintings have been sold there, highlighting the detailed depictions of natural scenery and folklore that attract visitors.

Longtime collectors of DPRK art in China praise the works for their technical skill and sincere artistic spirit. Dalian-based collector Shang Shuke, who began collecting DPRK paintings around 2014, described the pieces as characterized by exquisite realism and refined brushwork. Another collector, Peng Fengjiao, noted the gentle and elegant temperament of the artworks, viewing them both as decorative items and stable collectibles.

Yun Ju-hyok, the DPRK representative involved in creative work at the Dalian base, emphasized the appeal of DPRK art’s subjective realism and vivid depiction style to audiences in both countries. He also recounted that a group of DPRK artists he led on an exhibition tour to Taiyuan, Shanxi province, in 2019, expressed admiration for Chinese culture’s breadth and depth, which enhanced their appreciation and understanding of China.

Overall, the creation bases in Mudanjiang and Dalian serve as key hubs for the promotion and exchange of DPRK art within China, fostering cross-cultural dialogue and providing a foothold for North Korean artists overseas.