Korea Herald correspondent
PARIS, France — An exhibition introduced on the Korean Cultural Middle in Paris provides a uncommon glimpse into the historical past of Korean trendy and up to date artwork constructed over the previous seven a long time.
“Colours of Korea: Highlight on Korean Up to date Artwork,” which opened on Oct. 22, coinciding with Artwork Basel Paris, exhibits works by 34 Korean artists and was organized in commemoration of the one hundred and fortieth anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations subsequent yr.
“We started the exhibition with Suh Se-ok, who’s thought to be a pioneer of Korean trendy artwork and a determine representing the second when Korean artwork actually entered its trendy part,” curator Kim Hae-young instructed The Korea Herald on Oct. 24.
The exhibition begins with summary ink work by Suh Se-ok and Korean French painter Lee Ung-no. The 2 artists pioneered trendy and up to date ink portray, which advanced from the idea of literati portray. These scholarly work flourished within the Joseon period (1392-1910) and expressed a painter’s ideas after studying literary works resembling poetry.
Subsequent is “Burning,” a video work by Lee Bae, “Translated Vase” by Yee Soo-kyung and Lee Kang-so’s portray, “Island-98153,” amongst others — artists shaping Korea’s up to date artwork scene as we speak.
The exhibition contains works by Korean diaspora artists, resembling “A Telescope” and “The World Then No Longer Shaped,” new works by Anika Yi.
“With rising world consideration on Korean tradition, we felt it was the appropriate second to correctly showcase the depth of Korean trendy and up to date artwork in France,” the curator mentioned.
“Some Korean rising artists have by no means actually been correctly launched in France. We needed to take this chance to current them for the primary time,” the curator mentioned.
Rising younger Korean artists highlighted on the exhibition embrace Woo Hannah and Hejum Ba.
The exhibition concludes with Korean up to date artwork masters Park So-bo, Ha Chong-hyun and Kim Gui-line, who’ve led the Korean dansaekhwa artwork motion for the reason that Seventies, and Kim Ku-lim who pioneered Korean experimental artwork within the Sixties. Two early work by Kim Tschang-yeul, greatest identified for his waterdrop work, on show right here might look unfamiliar to audiences, as they evoke Korea’s conventional 5 cardinal colours — blue, purple, yellow, white and black.
The Korean Cultural Middle is planning a significant exhibition of Korean cultural heritage in collaboration with Quai Branly Museum to be proven from September 2027 to early 2028 the place a few of the works proven on the present exhibition shall be introduced, based on the cultural middle.
“Folks primarily related Korean tradition with Ok-pop or sure exhibits. However particularly in Europe, the place audiences are inclined to have a deep understanding of conventional tradition and the humanities, there’s rising curiosity in Korea’s broader cultural spectrum,” mentioned Lee Il-yeol, director of the Korean Cultural Middle in Paris.
“What started with in style tradition is now increasing into wonderful arts, conventional heritage and even our life-style.”
