A terracotta work by Oh Yoon (1946–1986), a pioneering figure of Korean Minjung art, has been discovered after remaining hidden for nearly half a century inside the Woori Bank building in Guui-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. However, the work now faces the threat of being lost due to the building's impending demolition.
 
According to the Korean art community, Woori Bank recently confirmed the existence of Oh Yoon's terracotta work, which had been concealed behind a false wall inside the building, following the sale of its Guui-dong branch in April. Long believed to have been destroyed, the work had in fact remained hidden within the building all along.
 
Created in 1973 by Oh Yoon in collaboration with fellow artists Oh Kyung Hwan and Yun Kwang-Ju, the work was installed across two facing walls using fired clay bricks.
 
One wall features an abstract depiction of human figures, while the opposite wall presents abstract forms suggestive of birds and other motifs. It stands as a rare record from a time when opportunities for young artists to create public art were exceedingly scarce.

A crowdfunding campaign and a fundraising exhibition have been launched to support the safe dismantling, relocation, and preservation of Oh Yoon's terracotta work, which is at risk of being lost due to the redevelopment of the building in which it is installed.
 
More than 10,000 people have already signed petitions calling for its preservation. However, with the building's demolition expected to begin as early as two to three months from now, it is difficult to rely solely on administrative procedures, which typically take several months to complete.
 
In response, the Committee for the Preservation of Oh Yoon's Guui-dong Terracotta Relief, in collaboration with the Korean People’s Artists Association, has launched a crowdfunding campaign. The campaign aims to raise at least KRW 100 million, which will be used to cover the costs of safely dismantling and relocating the work, as well as storing it until it can be reinstalled at a future site.

The Committee stated that even if the fundraising campaign falls short of its goal, the amount raised will be immediately allocated to the dismantling and relocation of the work. It also noted that a transparent record of all expenditures will be made publicly available.
 
Should the campaign exceed its target amount, the surplus funds will be used to support projects commemorating Oh Yoon and to provide operating funds for an artists' mutual aid loan program.
 
Alongside the online crowdfunding campaign, a fundraising exhibition will be held at KWANHOON Gallery from July 26 to August 9. Further information about the crowdfunding campaign and the exhibition is available on the official fundraising website(https://www.saf2026.com/funding/oh-yoon-terracotta).

References

• 오윤 구의동 테라코타 부조 이전을 위한 펀딩 웹사이트(Fundraising Website for the Relocation of Oh Yoon's Guui-dong Terracotta Relief)
• 뉴스아트, 철거 위기의 구의동 오윤 테라코타 부조, 시민의 힘으로 지킨다, 2026.07.09