Artwork
Ppal chi san dul, Partisans

Ppal chi san dul, Partisans is a print by Ch'ang-yon Ham. It dates from 8 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
This is a print by Ham, Ch'ang-yon. It shows a war scene with three fighters.
One fighter aims backward. Another is hurt, with a blood-stained headband. The third, wearing a cap, holds a pistol and helps the injured soldier. You can spot bushes and bare branches blowing right. The artist added a pencil note in the margin that says 1984.
Look up the Victoria and Albert Museum next.
Overview
Ppal chi san dul, Partisans is a 1984 print by North Korean artist Ham, Ch'ang-yon, depicting a wartime scene with three key figures amidst blowing natural elements.
Subject & Meaning
The print portrays a moment of camaraderie and urgency among three partisans. One figure aims rearward, another is wounded with a blood-stained headband, while the third supports the injured, highlighting themes of conflict, solidarity, and care.
Technique & Style
Executed as a print, the work features expressive, dynamic elements such as rushing bushes and bare branches blowing to the right, contrasting with the focused, detailed depiction of the partisans.
History & Provenance
Dated 1984 by the artist in a pencil note in the lower margin. The Korean War (1950-53) was a recurrent theme in North Korean art, reflecting its significant impact on the nation's identity and collective memory.
Context
Created during a period when North Korean art often served state ideologies, Ppal chi san dul, Partisans likely aligns with national narratives of resilience and unity during wartime, though specific exhibition or collection history is not detailed here.
Legacy
As part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection, this print contributes to the global understanding of North Korean wartime art and its thematic preoccupations, offering a glimpse into the country's artistic response to historical conflict.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ham drew village life on scraps of old paper, sketching by oil lamps after farm work.













