The Traffic Lady

High Quality North Korean Art of Pyongyang Traffic Ladies

The artwork is based on the graphic instructions on educational posters for Pyongyang Traffic Ladies and depict the women in their various uniform. The artwork was commissioned in 2001 by artist Kim Yong as a limited edition of original paintings and released as a limed edition giclée print in 2021

The original artwork was commissioned in 2001 painted in acrylic on stiff paper size 59.5 x 59.5 (plus a 2cm white border).The edition is limited to 20 pieces and each is signed by the artist Kim Yong.

The print was released in 2021 on museum quality paper using a Giclée Epson printer, the size is 53.5x 53.5cm (plus a 2 cm white border).The edition is limited to 100 prints, each print individually numbered in pencil. The print is embossed with the Koryo Studio seal.

There are many requirements for this highly coveted position. The women are mostly single, attractive, and tall. They usually start their career after leaving school at 17. However, their job is more than standing straight and being gawked at by tourists; their perfectly choreographed traffic dances involve high levels of concentration and discipline, as well as vigorous training. In the past there were around 50 posts around major crossroads in Pyongyang, however their position is now on the decline due to the introduction of traffic lights and replacement by male traffic police. This artwork was commissioned twenty year ago in 2001 and was intended to celebrate their position and iconic status among locals and visitors to Pyongyang. A glimpse of the feature film based on their lives and their day to day work can be seen here