By Coma News Staff
Business leader and art collector, Davis Montgomery announced yesterday that his rare collection of paintings by former North Korean Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-Il, will go on display at the Coma Landmine Tours & Museum later this month.
The incredibly rare collection features nearly two dozen paintings completed by Jong-Il, who served as the head of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea from 1994 to 2011. Among the collection are many award-winning pieces that reflect the communist dictator’s passion for art.
“These are amazing paintings,” Montgomery said. “People outside North Korea don’t know the former Supreme Leader was an avid and accomplished artist, but he was.”
Montgomery, who is also the publisher of Coma News, purchased the collection at an auction in Pyongyang in 2012 for an undisclosed amount. According to Montgomery, this will be the first public showing of the collection outside North Korea.
“If people move past the oppressive nature of his reign as Supreme Leader, I think they will find some beautiful art,” Montgomery said. “Every painting he created won multiple awards from the North Korean art community. So you know it’s quality art. They don’t hand out awards to mediocre painters in North Korea.”
The exhibit is scheduled to open on Thursday, March 27.