The interest in Korean arts and culture has grown exponentially in the past decade. The South Korean art scene is a quickly developing and thriving environment that successfully blends traditional and contemporary Korean aesthetics and Western influences. A new exhibition at the Philadelphia Museum of Art will showcase the work of contemporary Korean artists who are paving the way for new perspectives and sensibilities. The exhibition titled The Shape of Time: Korean Art After 1989 will explore collective memory, cultural dichotomy, and temporality.
Contemporary Korean Art Is on View at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
The Philadelphia Museum of Art never fails to surprise its audience with fresh visuals and thought-provoking conversations. The next exhibition to take place in its halls will take you on an entirely new journey through South Korean history, both personal and public.
The exhibiting artists were all born between 1960 and 1980, a period which was marked by rapid changes in South Korean politics, society, and culture. A generation born during that time experienced both the struggles of living under an authoritarian regime and the freedoms that came with the establishment of the new democratic government. Many artists participating in the exhibition received education in Europe and the US. Consequently, their work reflects both Korean and Western sensibilities.
The Shape of Time focuses on the past, present, and future of the South Korean society. Korean artists explore societal and political issues that influenced them during their formative years as people and artists. By applying traditional artistic techniques to contemporary topics, they confront the complex cultural reality of their homeland.
The diversity of mediums represented at the upcoming exhibition cannot be understated. The spectrum of techniques and approaches reflects the variety of experiences and perspectives of the artists. The Shape of Time will entice even those unfamiliar with Korean culture or history.
While large exhibitions of contemporary Korean art are not frequent in the United States, this show might be the turning point in drawing the attention of the Western audience to the unfamiliar but exciting part of the art world.
As a member and Corporate Partner of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Fine Art Shippers is beyond excited to visit the exhibition. The Shape of Time: Korean Art after 1989 will open on October 21, 2023, and continue through February 11, 2024. See you there!