Korean contemporary artists’ group mounts 1st int’l exhibit in PH

CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS’ EXHIBIT. Korean Contemporary Artists Association president Shin Cheol-Kyun poses with his “Boundaries-Time” painting during the opening of the association’s exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum last November 28. The exhibit, which runs until February 28, 2020, features paintings, sculptures made by 35 artists to showcase Korea’s cultural identity. (PNA photo by Cristina Arayata)

MANILA — The Korean Contemporary Artists Association (KCAA) from South Korea mounted its first exhibit abroad, choosing the Philippines to showcase various paintings, sculptures, and installations of 35 of its members.

The exhibit runs from November 28 to February 28, 2020, on the second floor of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila.

In an interview with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) Thursday, KCAA president Shin Cheol-Kyun said that usually, members don’t go to places that are acquainted with Korean culture.

“The Philippines knows much about Korea. But this year marks the 70th year of bilateral relations between the two countries. So we chose the Philippines to have this special exhibit and showcase new art pieces,” he remarked.

Korean contemporary artists, he said, don’t have much difference from other contemporary artists globally. “We (Korean artists) express more of our emotions through art,” Shin emphasized.

Shin himself joined the exhibit and featured his “Boundaries-Time” painting.

“It (painting) shows the everyday life, surrounded by nature, light and darkness, social change,” Shin described. He has been painting for about a month.

The KCAA president works as a professor at the College of Art & Culture of Kangwon National University.

Seventeen out of the 35 exhibit participants flew to Manila last week to grace the exhibit opening.

“This group works as volunteers, especially to promote Korean culture,” said Shin. KCAA is open to collaborations with Filipino artists if there would be a chance, he added.

Individually, KCAA members mount 10 to 20 exhibits a year around South Korea.

Meanwhile, South Korean Ambassador Han Dong-Man, who graced the exhibit’s opening, acknowledged the artists’ creativity and expressed his hope that the exhibit could boost the relationship between Filipinos and Koreans through appreciation of visual arts.

The Embassy, in partnership with the Korean Cultural Center, and the Korea Craft and Design Foundation, also has an ongoing “Korean Life Aesthetics” exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum.

This exhibit, which runs from November 14 to January 31, 2020, showcases crafts with minimalist designs inspired by Korea’s history and culture.