Masters, newcomers in local art exhibit

So you're familiar with and appreciate the works of big names in Korean art, such as the "waterdrop artist" Kim Tschang-yeul and the video art master Nam June Paik. Where do you go from there?

Try the Seoul Arts Center in southern Seoul. The spacious art venue is exhibiting more than 500 contemporary works encompassing an array of styles, including painting, sculpture, installation, photography and video, through Sunday. The event, the Second Korean Contemporary Art Festival, will play host to 66 local artists, who will display their works in individual booths.

The exhibition promises to be a wholesome cultural event, and is designed to promote public awareness and education. At the same time it will afford a broad overview of the direction the local art scene has been taking in recent years, as well as provide a good gauge for commercial possibilities. The show will premiere several major works by some of Korea's most established artists.

Billing itself as "The current address of Korea's contemporary art scene," the event, sponsored by the Korean Art Association, has three goals: to provide a place for artists to get exposure and meet local collectors, to connect Korean artists to overseas markets and to activate interest in the Korean art market.

The show will also feature themed exhibits. Categories include Naturalist Artists, Tomorrow's Promising Artists, African Shona Sculpture, Japanese Contemporary Art and Korean Artists Abroad. The editor of the art magazine Misool Sidae, Ryoo Suek-woo, said: "This comprehensive array of diverse works by both Korean and international artists, ranging from masters to newcomers, will be truly spectacular."

For more information, call the Seoul Arts Center at 02-544-8481~2 (Korean service only).

by Inēs Cho