In Korea, you have Pororo (뽀로로)... and in Brazil, there’s Monica. The popular cartoon character that has been around for more than 50 years… is now on display at a special exhibition that incorporates her with famous artworks from around the world. Suejin Choi has more.

Often referred to as the ‘Dutch Mona Lisa’… ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ is one of the most famous paintings in the world… and here at this exhibition, it is reborn as… ‘Monica with a Rabbit Earring’. Her big eyes and cheeky smile add a friendly touch to the masterpiece.

[slug]
‘Masterpieces with Monica’
Through Nov. 29 at Jeju Museum of Art

Visitors get to see masterpieces reinterpreted by the Walt Disney of South America… Brazilian cartoonist Mauricio de Sousa (마우리시우 지 소우자) at a special exhibition currently underway at the Jeju Museum of Art.

51 artworks - in cartoon form - are on display.

The exhibition is called ‘Masterpieces with Monica’ and it is being held to commemorate the Museum’s sixth anniversary.

[INTERVIEW]
Hong Hyeon-mi / Curator, Jeju Museum of Art
This exhibition offers children the opportunity to see and experience masterpieces, reinterpreted by Brazil’s master of comics, Mauricio de Sousa.
<인터뷰: 홍현미/ 제주도립미술관 학예연구사>
"이번 전시는 브라질의 만화 거장 마우리시우 지 소우자 작가가 어린이들을 교육하고 세계의 명화를 쉽게 이해할 수 있도록 직접 그린
*수퍼체인지*
작품과 어린이들이 직접 활동하면서 체험할 수 있는 공간으로 마련됐습니다."

The exhibition also showcases Korean masterpieces. Painter Shin Yun-bok(신윤복)’s Scenery on Dano Day or Dano-poong-jeong(단오풍정) is reinterpreted as ‘Monica & Friends Taking a Bath’… and Kim Hong-do(김홍도)’s Seodang(서당) is reborn as ‘Teacher and pupils’.

[camera]
Moon Ho-seong

On the second floor, a special activity area has been set up for children to experience the world of art firsthand.

[INTERVIEW]
Park Hye-mi / Aewol-eup, Jeju City
It’s fun coming here with my mom. I enjoyed coloring the pictures myself.
<인터뷰: 박혜미/ 제주시 애월읍>
"엄마랑 미술관 오니까 재밌어요. 색칠공부 하니까 좋아요."

From the Mona Lisa to the Venus de Milo… visitors can appreciate masterpieces in cartoon farm… as the friendly cartoon character Monica guides people of all ages through this special exhibition of the world’s best-loved artworks.

Suejin Choi, KCTV