Arko Art Center is set to open its collection for the first time in 18 years, showcasing 70 works from its collection of over 400 pieces. This exhibition aims to highlight key moments in Korean contemporary art and may serve as a turning point in the museum's decade-long pause in acquiring new works.
From October 16 to December 6, Arko Art Center will host a special exhibition titled 'Collection: Scenes of the Era,' focusing on the multifaceted trends in Korean contemporary art from the 1970s to the 2000s.
This is the second time since 2008 that the museum has organized an exhibition centered on its collection. Established in 1974 as an art hall, Arko Art Center has played a significant role in supporting experimental young artists and various art groups over the past 50 years.
The exhibition will reflect on the museum's history and the artistic achievements of its featured artists, including prominent figures in Korean contemporary art such as Kim Ku-rim, Lee Kun-yong, Sung Neung-kyung, Shin Hak-chul, and Yoon Seok-nam.
Organized by decade, the exhibition will explore major artistic trends, including monochrome painting, experimental art, minjung art, and new generation art. The 1970s section will feature works by Kwon Young-woo, Sung Neung-kyung, and Choi Young-rim, showcasing various artistic attempts in monochrome and experimental art. The 1980s will highlight minjung art and the evolution of abstract painting and Korean painting through works by Min Jeong-ki, Park Seung-kyu, and Park Saeng-gwang.
The 1990s section will reflect on the breaking down of genre boundaries and the expansion of expressive methods through works by Shin Hak-chul, Yoon Seok-nam, and Yang Man-ki. The 2000s will examine contemporary art's expanded media and thematic consciousness through paintings and installations by Kim Eul, Song Sang-hee, Lim Min-wook, and Ham Yang-ah.
Previously unseen works will also be on display, including Park Saeng-gwang's 'Lee Jo,' Kim Ku-rim's 'Yin-Yang 99-S, 207,' and award-winning pieces from the Korea Art Competition, such as Lee Gi-bong's 'Raw - Place with a White Towel' and Kang Ae-ran's 'Life-II.'
The history of Arko Art Center's collection is intertwined with that of the Korea Arts Council. A significant portion of the collection was amassed during the first 20 years after its opening, with about 25% of the works acquired through donations of award-winning pieces from the Korea Art Competition between the 1980s and the mid-2000s.
However, since the early 2010s, new acquisitions have effectively ceased due to a lack of budget for purchasing works and limited storage space. The existing building's constraints have also hindered expansion efforts.
Cha Seung-joo, a curator at Arko Art Center, expressed, "The landscape of the art world has diversified significantly since the 2000s, but this change has not been reflected in our collection, which is disappointing. The collection is a crucial part of the museum's identity, and I believe we have not adequately showcased the museum's history and direction through it."
He added, "Through a comprehensive survey, we discovered that many excellent works have not had the opportunity to be seen. I hope this exhibition serves as a chance to reflect on the importance of the collection and its significance in relation to the museum's history."
There is also interest in whether this exhibition will mark a starting point for re-evaluating the museum's collection and operational direction. However, due to structural issues such as budget constraints for purchasing works, it remains uncertain whether this will lead to a resumption of acquisitions.
Lee Beom-heon, chair of the Korea Arts Council, stated, "This exhibition is a meaningful opportunity to revisit the multifaceted narrative of Korean contemporary art through the collection and exhibition history that Arko Art Center has accumulated over decades. It will continue to be a platform for sharing art historical achievements and generating new visual art discourse."
The exhibition will take place at Arko Art Center in Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and admission is free.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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