On January 13, 2025, Daegu Art Museum inaugurated its new annex, marking a significant expansion of its space and functions. This development not only enhances its research, education, and exhibition capabilities but also solidifies its identity by offering permanent exhibitions and a curated display of its collection, allowing for a deeper exploration of the regional art scene.
 
Notably, in February, the museum will host an exhibition focusing on Daegu’s art scene in the 1980s, presenting an opportunity to reaffirm the significance of regional art within the broader context of Korean contemporary art history.
 
New Spaces, Enhanced Functions

Since its opening in 2011, Daegu Art Museum (17,240㎡) has been operating within its main building. Now, with the addition of a new annex (4,461㎡, B1–2F), the museum significantly expands its capacity. The annex includes a permanent exhibition hall, an open storage facility, educational rooms, and a screening room, providing visitors with a multi-layered artistic experience.

2025 Exhibition Highlights: A Special Focus on Regional Art

To mark the opening of the annex, Daegu Art Museum presents a series of major exhibitions:
- Collection Highlights: 《Everything Changes. Everything is Connected. It Goes on Forever. 》
- Permanent Exhibition: 《The Flow of Modern Painting in Daegu》
- Daegu Forum IV: "Daegu Art 1980-1989, To Figuration》 (Feb 25 – Jun 22)
 
A key highlight of the museum’s February lineup is the exhibition 《Daegu Art 1980-1989, To Figuration》 which takes an in-depth look at Daegu’s art scene during the 1980s. This exhibition explores the shift toward symbolism, figuration, and expression in regional art, highlighting the decade’s pivotal role as a bridge between modern and contemporary Korean art and the emergence of postmodernism.
 
Exhibition Overview

- Exhibition Period: February 25 – June 22, 2025
- Venue: Daegu Art Museum, Exhibition Halls 2 & 3
- Participating Artists: Kwon Young-sik, Kim Kwang-bae, Kim Chang-young, Noh Won-hee, Noh Tae-woong, Ryu Sung-ha, Park Yong-jin, Park Il-yong, Park Hyun-ki, Byun Jong-gon, Song Kwang-ik, Yang Ho-kyu, Lee Kang-so, Lee Guk-bong, Jung Byung-guk, Jung Il, Jung Ha-soo, Choi Wook-kyung, Hong Chang-ryong, Hwang Hyun-wook (20 artists in total)
- Composition: 70+ works including paintings, prints, and video art; 100+ archival materials
- Guest Curator: Art Critic Kim Young-dong
 
The 1980s was a transformative era for Korea, marked by the collapse of the Yushin regime, the emergence of a new military government, and waves of pro-democracy movements. The decade saw rapid economic growth and urban development, accompanied by both societal progress and internal conflicts. These shifts significantly influenced the art scene in Daegu, where artists actively engaged with their surroundings, reflecting their lived experiences through a revival of figuration and symbolic representation—a departure from the dominance of formalism and conceptual art in the Korean art scene.

By presenting paintings, drawings, prints, videos, and historical archives, the exhibition aims to reassess the contributions of Daegu’s artists within the broader Korean art narrative. It also showcases significant historical moments and major developments in Daegu’s art community during the 1980s, encouraging a deeper understanding of regional art as an integral part of Korea’s contemporary art evolution.
 
Daegu Art Museum’s Vision: Strengthening Its Role as a Cultural Hub
Following the annex opening, Daegu Art Museum will reinforce its status as a leading cultural hub by:
 
- Expanding partnerships, including a marketing collaboration with Kansong Art Museum
- Hosting over seven major exhibitions annually
- Launching a membership program to enhance community engagement
 
Additionally, the museum plans to expand its education programs, fostering greater interaction between the public and contemporary art.
 
Daegu Art Museum Director Roh Jung-ki stated, “With the expansion of our space and functions, we are committed to providing the public with richer and more diverse artistic experiences. Our goal is to establish Daegu Art Museum as a platform that connects the region with the global art scene.”
 
With its annex opening and an in-depth exploration of 1980s Daegu art, Daegu Art Museum is poised to redefine its role—not just as an exhibition space, but as a cultural institution that strengthens the identity of regional art and elevates its position within the Korean and global contemporary art landscape.

References

• 대구미술관 (Daegu Art Museum)