Artwork
Female train attendant with a trolley
Female train attendant with a trolley is a paint painting by the Social Realist artist Chong-Ch'ŏl Yi. It dates from 1989 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The work portrays a female railway attendant poised on a platform in Hongwon, a coastal town in North Korea, as she awaits the arrival of the Pyongna train. A sign indicating the next stop, Kyung‑p’o, appears behind her, while the State Railways emblem is displayed on the trolley at her side.
Subject & Meaning
Dressed in a bright uniform complete with cap, apron and shoes, the attendant checks her wristwatch, suggesting punctuality. Around her, crates brimming with crabs and apples hint at local abundance, presenting an image of a youthful, efficient railway service within a well‑supplied community.
Technique & Style
The composition contrasts vivid, saturated colors used for the figure, food and trolley against a muted, almost monochrome platform background. This juxtaposition emphasizes the attendant and the bounty she carries, employing a realist approach typical of late‑1980s North Korean state art.
History & Provenance
Signed and sealed by Yi Chong‑Ch’ŏl, the painting is dated 1989. It is believed to have been created to promote a positive view of the DPRK during the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students, which took place in Pyongyang that July.
Context
The scene references the Pyongna line, the principal southwest‑northeast railway linking Pyongyang with Rajin near the Russian border. By highlighting a modern, well‑dressed attendant and plentiful regional produce, the work aligns with official narratives of progress and self‑sufficiency.
Artist & collection
Artist
Yi Chong-Ch'ŏl painted everyday scenes from 1980s Korea, like the 1989 canvas Female train attendant with a trolley.
