This week, we introduce exhibitions perfect for families to enjoy together during the Lunar New Year holidays, curated from major museums in Seoul and across regional areas.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA): Enjoy Modern Art for Free

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) offers free admission to its Seoul and Deoksugung branches during the Lunar New Year holidays.

At the Seoul branch, the exhibition titled 《Lee Kang So: Where the Wind Meets the Water》highlights a diverse range of works by Lee Kang So, including early experimental pieces, installations, videos, and paintings, showcasing various facets of experimental art.

Lee Kang So began his experimental art practice in the 1970s, participating in movements such as Shincheje(New System), AG (Korean Avant-Garde Association), Seoul Biennale, and École de Seoul. His artistic exploration spans multiple mediums like video, printmaking, and event-based art. Lee actively participated in international exhibitions, including the Paris Biennale (1975), Sydney Biennale (1976), Tokyo International Print Biennale (1976), and São Paulo Biennale (1977). From the 1980s, Lee delved into contemplative processes, experimenting with abstraction and figuration, and evolving his works to creatively merge text and abstraction after the 2000s.

Another engaging exhibition at the Seoul branch is 《Teleportation》, where visitors can wear VR headsets to experience virtual recreations of a 1930s Gyeongseong (Seoul), a solitary prison cell, and a futuristic Toronto, offering a truly immersive and interactive experience.

At the Deoksugung (Deoksu Palace) branch, 《Sublime Ink: Korean and Chinese Modern Ink and Color Painting》 is on display, comparing Korean and Chinese modern ink art. This exhibition features 32 nationally designated cultural heritage works from China, including pieces by Wu Changshuo, Xu Beihong, Wu Zuoren, and Lin Fengmian, providing a rare opportunity to see these significant works.

Leeum Museum of Art: The Beauty of Goryeo-Era National Treasures
 
The Leeum Museum of Art is hosting an exhibition titled 《Transcendence: Embracing Enlightenment》, showcasing Goryeo-era national treasures.

This exhibition includes gamji-geumnimyo-beopyeonhwa-gyeong (Illuminated Lotus Sutra Manuscript), written with gold ink on black paper, and Najeon-guk-dangcho-mun-gyeong-ham (Mother-of-Pearl Sutra Box), demonstrating the exquisite artistry of Goryeo Buddhist art. These artifacts highlight the intricate craftsmanship and spiritual depth of traditional Korean art.

Kansong Art Museum Daegu: Masterpieces of Joseon Painting

The Kansong Art Museum Daegu presents a new permanent exhibition showcasing treasures from the Kansong Art and Cultural Foundation.

The Kansong Art Museum Daegu is an institution operated based on the collection of the Kansong Art and Cultural Foundation, established by Jeon Hyeong-pil (Kansong), a prominent Korean educator and collector. Reopened in Daegu in 2022, the museum is dedicated to promoting and preserving the value of traditional Korean art. Through a variety of exhibitions, it plays a vital role in showcasing the beauty of Korea's cultural heritage to a broader audience.

This exhibition features masterpieces by renowned Joseon-era artists, including Kim Hongdo, Shin Yunbok, and Jang Seung-eop (the Three Wons), as well as Jeong Seon, Heo Ryeon, and Cho Yeongseok (the Three Jae). The collection also includes royal calligraphy and national treasures such as the Celadon Prunus Vase with Inlaid Cloud and Crane Design.

Jeonnam Museum of Art: The Light and Color of O Jiho
 
The Jeonnam Museum of Art commemorates the 120th anniversary of O Jiho’s birth with the exhibition O Jiho and Impressionism: From the Vibration of Light to Color This retrospective includes over 100 paintings, archival materials, and personal artifacts such as his easel, palette, and work clothes, highlighting O Jiho’s pioneering role in Korean Impressionism and his innovative exploration of light and color.

The Jeonnam Museum of Art, located in Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do, is a public art museum that opened in 2021. The museum aims to promote local culture and arts while advancing contemporary art. It features exhibitions showcasing the works of various domestic and international artists. Notably, it organizes exhibition programs that connect the natural beauty and traditional sensibilities of the Jeonnam region with contemporary art, drawing significant attention. The museum presents a wide range of artworks, including paintings, sculptures, installations, and videos, while also offering educational and cultural programs that provide diverse artistic experiences for local residents and visitors alike.

This work is a representative piece of Korean modern landscape painting, beautifully capturing the traditional Korean rural scenery in a warm and lyrical way through the beauty of natural light and harmonious color tones. With the delicate use of light and color, it conveys the changes of seasons and time, showcasing the essence of Korean Impressionism.

O Jiho (吳之湖, 1905–1982) was a pioneering figure in modern Korean art and is credited with founding Korean Impressionism. He explored the harmony of light and color through the themes of Korea's nature and environment, creating an original visual language. During his time studying in Japan, he learned Western painting techniques and developed an interest in Impressionistic expression. After returning to Korea, he applied these techniques to depict the country's natural landscapes and everyday scenes. His representative works include Southern-Facing House and Path in Autumn, through which he captured the vitality of light and warm color tones.

O Jiho played a significant role in the development of Western-style painting in Korea and holds an important place in modern Korean art history, influencing generations to come.

Busan Museum of Contemporary Art: Nam June Paik Retrospective

The Busan Museum of Contemporary Art is hosting a large-scale retrospective titled 《Nam June Paik, Nam June Paik, and Nam June Paik》 Featuring over 160 works, the exhibition covers the artist’s early to late works, showcasing his groundbreaking contributions to media art. The collection is centered around pieces from the Nam June Paik Art Center, offering a deep dive into his innovative and forward-thinking artistic vision.

First introduced at the 1998 Gyeongju World Culture Expo, this work utilizes 108 monitors to symbolically encapsulate significant events in Korean history, key figures of modern times, and cultural scenes of the contemporary era. It features images of Nam June Paik’s Fluxus colleagues, the remnants of Korea’s liberation on August 15 and the Korean War, traditional fan dances and Buddhist monk dances, as well as icons of popular culture at the time, such as Seo Taiji and Boys.

The Busan Museum of Contemporary Art, located in Busan, South Korea, is a public art museum dedicated to contemporary art. Opened in 2018, it serves as a platform for exploring innovative art practices and fostering creative exchanges on a global scale. The museum focuses on showcasing cutting-edge works in media art, installations, and interdisciplinary projects, highlighting both Korean and international artists. Surrounded by natural landscapes on Eulsukdo Island, the museum provides visitors with a unique blend of art and nature, offering diverse exhibitions and cultural programs that reflect the evolving trends of contemporary art.

Jeonbuk Museum of Art: The Final Exhibition of the Lee Kun-hee Collection Tour

The Jeonbuk Museum of Art is hosting the 《Lee Kun-hee Collection Special Exhibition》," showcasing 85 significant works of modern and contemporary Korean art. Highlights include Lee Jungseop’s Child Peeing, Park Sookeun’s Women Pounding Grain, and Lee Ungno’s Composition. As the final stop of the Lee Kun-hee Collection nationwide tour, this exhibition holds special significance for art lovers.

These exhibitions offer a wide variety of artistic experiences, making them perfect for families and individuals seeking to enjoy art during the Lunar New Year holidays.

The Jeonbuk Museum of Art, located in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, is a public art museum that opened in 2004. The museum plays a key role in preserving the artistic heritage of the Jeollabuk-do region and leading the creative currents of contemporary art.

It offers curated exhibitions reflecting the culture and history of Jeollabuk-do, as well as special exhibitions like the Lee Kun-hee Collection, providing artistic inspiration not only to local residents but also to visitors from across the country. Through diverse exhibitions and educational programs, the museum has established itself as a space that bridges art and the public.