KOREA FOUNDATION

Big Eyes, 2014
Director: Tim Burton
Stars: Amy Adams, Christoph Waltz

When we fail to live our own life in our own name, the pain of living a false life slowly eats away our soul, forcing us to live in hell. The movie Big Eyes is a true story about a painter who, due to a moment of misjudgment, led a painful life overshadowed by guilt for decades until she courageously reclaimed her identity.

In the United States in the 1950s, painter Walter Keane became an overnight success for paintings of girls with big, sad eyes. However, these paintings were in fact the works of his wife, Margaret. Arguing that female painters struggle to gain recognition, Walter had urged Margaret to put out the paintings in his name. At first, Margaret was hesitant, but she soon agreed with him. For a long time, Margaret kept on painting the big-eyed girls while her husband earned all the credit and praise for her works. Then one day, the long-troubled Margaret decided to come out with her true identity as a painter and filed a suit against her husband. After a long, drawn-out legal battle, Margaret proved herself by painting Exhibit 224 in the courtroom.

Margaret Keane’s Exhibit 224, oil on canvas, 28×35.5 cm, 1986 / Courtesy of My Art Museum

Even if I am not widely recognized, and even if I never make a lot of money, if I can lead a life of my own in my own name and style, I can be happy and know that my life is invaluable. I wouldn’t change it for anything, would I? This is the quiet message from Margaret Keane, who reclaimed her identity, though belatedly, and is still happy and active as a painter even at the age of ninety-three.

Written by Woo Jiwon, Senior Program Officer, KF Arts and Culture Department

Next month’s “KF Culture Walk” will be written by Koh Cho-young, Senior Program Officer, KF Korean Studies Department

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