Korea’s first sculpture- dedicated gallery, Space Tone (S.tone), has opened in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. While most sculpture-dedicated venues in Korea are located on the outskirts of Seoul due to the scale and weight of the works, Space Tone stands out as a space situated in the heart of the city—offering visitors the opportunity to encounter sculpture naturally in their everyday lives.

The space was designed to create an environment where sculptural works can breathe most naturally. Led by architect Yeo-heon Kim Young-jo, known for designing the Seoul Museum of Art and Paju Park Young Gallery, the gallery was meticulously crafted with careful consideration of light, materials, and spatial proportions—allowing sculpture to exist as an integral part of the architecture itself.
 
The gallery is designed so that every element, from the influx of natural light, the texture of walls and floors, to the angle of lighting and the rhythm of light and shadow, maximizes the form and depth of sculpture. To highlight the inherent texture and materiality of sculpture, the interior of the building exposes elements such as stone, concrete, and cement, allowing the architecture itself to serve as a natural backdrop that enhances the artworks.

Additionally, reflecting its unique location in front of the Dangan-ri Power Plant, the building features three protruding columns inspired by the plant’s smokestacks. These columns create a sculpture-like landscape on the roof, adding a distinctive visual element to the building’s exterior.
 
Recently, the space was selected as a “2025 Design Spot” by the Seoul Design Festival, gaining attention as an inspiring venue that sets trends for designers.

The inaugural exhibition at Space Tone opened with Jin Sub Han, a leading figure in contemporary Korean sculpture, presenting his solo show 《A Delicate Story Embedded in the Weight of Stillness》. His sculptures embody both the weight of materiality and the depth of spirit, revealing the essential power of sculpture through the void within solidity and tension within stillness.
 
This restrained sensibility and strong presence mesh perfectly with Space Tone's spatial structure, demonstrating a "resonance of form" where sculpture illuminates space and space embraces sculpture. The exhibition will run until December 29.
 
Following Jin Sub Han’s solo show, Space Tone is expected to serve as a new hub for Korean sculpture, providing a platform where works by both domestic and international sculptors can be displayed and where artistic exchange can flourish.

References

• 스페이스 톤(Space Tone)