Story of a Secret State

The group exhibition, which runs from 26 April to 9 May at the Guildford Lane Gallery in Melbourne, uses stunning pieces of visual art to convey a story of the poorer North Koreans, from the time they are children, scouring for food on the streets, to the desperate attempt for freedom at the country’s armed borders.

There are consequences for those that are caught, which are highlighted in confronting detail. Finally we are left with the challenges that face those that do succeed and reach new lands. Does life get any easier?

Behind the vision is creative director Courtney Kim from Symphonic Pixels. Herself of South Korean heritage and the daughter of a Korean international economists and senior researcher of the Korean Unification Institute, Courtney grew up hearing stories of the unjust treatment of her Korean neighbours. She now aims above all else to have a story close to her own heart, heard by an Australian audience.

“Coming from South Korea I had all the opportunities and freedoms in the world, even the freedom to move overseas and study in Australia. Only a few kilometres up in the north though, our neighbours didn’t have a single opportunity that I had,” she said.

“I have found that Australians in general see North Korea as only Kim Jong Il or nuclear weapons, and all of the other aggressive political traits. But the real North Korea, which I’m hoping to illustrate in my exhibition, is almost unheard of. It’s a real shame.