Archetypes: a special exhibition by the National Academy of Arts, Republic of Korea

Highlighting a rich range of Korean contemporary art by 22 pioneering artists; Hwanki Kim, Se-ok Suh, Kyungja Chun, Chongyoung Kim, Heeyoung Yoo, Jongtae Choi and more.

Chankyun Kang b.1938 Ganggangsullae (Circle Dance) 강강수월래 600x600x350cm Credit: Korean Cultural Centre Australia (National Academy of Arts, Republic of Korea: NAA)

The Korean Cultural Centre Australia in partnership with the National Academy of Arts, Republic of Korea (NAA) presents Archetypes, an exhibition that highlights a rich range of Korean contemporary art by 22 pioneering artists who attempted to overcome reality amid rapidly changing times.

Running until 8 September 2023, Archetypes encompasses a wide array of artistic mediums, including paintings, sculptures, craft, calligraphy, and architecture. With a combination of newly created pieces presented alongside key existing works, the exhibition showcases a total of 32 works unveiling the legitimacy and modernity of Korean art while highlighting its significant impact on the establishment of Korean contemporary art.

Kyungja Chun (1924-2015) Portrait of a Woman 여인상 60.8x45.5cm Colour on paper 1985 Credit: Korean Cultural Centre Australia (National Academy of Arts, Republic of Korea: NAA)

The exhibition includes masterpieces that showcase the diverse artistic interpretations of each artist, and the depth and beauty of Korean art. Se-ok Suh (1929-2020), the father of artist Do Ho Suh, reclaimed the contemporary practice of oriental painting based on abstraction and simplicity, moving away from traditional custom. People (ink on paper, 2010) is one of Suh’s series that focuses on humans, a common motif since the late 1970s. The flock of people connected with outstretched limbs is symbolised in bold strokes.

Whanki Kim (1913-1974) is a pioneering abstract artist of Korea. His geometric abstraction works, incorporating traditional Korean motifs from his days in Seoul and Paris, transcended into monochrome paintings of dots and lines from his time in New York in 1963. Spotted palette with various sized dots, Untitled (oil on paper, 1968) is a representation of his transition into dot painting. The repeated atypical squares, whether near or afar, closely reflect Kim’s notions about humanity and the world, or life and death. Jongtae Choi (b.1932) has focused on sculpting the human body through the female form, making fundamental questions of life, religion, and art a lifelong pursuit. His exploration of the human body in sculptures was not just about revealing the beauty of appearance, but also about finding the essence of human beings.

Se-ok Suh (1929-2020) People 사람들 158.5x111cm Ink on paper 2010 Credit: Korean Cultural Centre Australia (National Academy of Arts, Republic of Korea: NAA)

Director of the KCC, Jihee Kim says, “Recently, the interest in Korean contemporary art among Australians has reached unprecedented levels. I believe that this show is particularly meaningful as it provides a significant opportunity to witness the evolution of Korean art, from its rich historical roots to its dynamic modern expressions.”