Park Hyunki, Pass through the City, Work B,
1981, archival pigment print, 31×40cm ©Gallery HyundaiGallery Hyundai presents 《55 YEARS: A Legacy of Modern & Contemporary Korean Art》 to commemorate its 55th anniversary, until May 15.
On the morning of April 4th, 1970, at 10
am, Gallery Hyundai (or Hyundai Hwarang as it was then known) took the very
first steps of its journey in Insadong. Since then, the gallery has dedicated
itself to showcasing the work of full-time artists, allowing them to focus
solely on their creative pursuits while introducing their artistic oeuvres to
the public, local and international collectors, corporate patrons, and major
institutions worldwide.
This year marks the gallery’s 55th year of
commitment to this mission. The exhibition reflects on the 55 years of Gallery
Hyundai's journey as a foundation in the history of Korean art, celebrating the
key artists who have become cornerstones of this narrative. Through this
exhibition, the gallery invites visitors to explore the past, present, and
future of Gallery Hyundai and Korean modern and contemporary art.
Seung-taek Lee, Untitled series, 2010s ©Gallery
Hyundai《55 YEARS: A Legacy of Modern &
Contemporary Korean Art》 is divided into two parts,
presented at both Hyundai Hwarang (8 Samcheong-ro) and Gallery Hyundai (14
Samcheong-ro). Hyundai Hwarang highlights works by artists who have achieved
iconic status in the public consciousness, such as Park Soo-Keun, Lee Jung
Seob, and Chun Kyungja. It also features figurative painters who emerged from
naturalism and devoted their lives to discovering a uniquely Korean identity.
Gallery Hyundai presents prominent artists
from its internal project Reflections on Korean Experimental Art, initiated by
HyungTeh Do, the second-generation gallerist and current owner and CEO, who
played an active role in shaping the gallery’s programs. It features notable
works by diaspora artists with whom HyungTeh Do formed connections during his
time in New York.
Kim Whanki,
Bridge, 1954, oil on canvas, 100x65cm ©Gallery HyundaiThe Experimental artists featured in this
exhibition were central figures in 《Only the Young:
Experimental Art in Korea, 1960s–1970s》, a touring
exhibition spanning 2023 and 2024 at the National Museum of Modern and
Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA), Seoul; Guggenheim Museum, New York; and the
Hammer Museum, Los Angeles.
The artistic dialogue between Korean
Experimental artists and diaspora artists resonates with a shared pursuit of
distinctive aesthetic languages. Yet, like individual constellations, they each
build their own independent worlds, representing a vital legacy of Korean
modern and contemporary art.
Participating Artists:
(Hyundai Hwarang) To Sang-Bong, Park
Saeng-Kwang, Oh Chi Ho, Kim Whanki, Yoon Jungsik, Park Soo-Keun, Lee Jung Seob,
Choi Youngrim, Park Ko-Suk, Chang Ucchin, Hwang Yeom Soo, Kim Heungsou, Park
Rehyun, Lee Daiwon, Yim Jik Soon, Kwon Ok Yon, Chun Kyungja, Moon Hakjin, Byun
Chongha, Kim Sangyu, Kim Hyung Geun, Kim Chong Hak, Ryoo Byung Yup, Hwang
Young-Sung
(Gallery Hyundai) Quac Insik, Nam June
Paik, Seung-taek Lee, Kwak Duck-Jun, Tchah-Sup Kim, Choong Sup Lim, Park
Hyunki, Lee Kun-Young, Lee Kang So, Sung Neung Kyung, Shin Sung Hy, Kim Myong
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