2015. 01. 14. Museums & Galleries

A ROOM OF HIS OWN:

MASCULINITIES IN KOREA AND THE MIDDLE EAST

Artsonje Center, Jongno District

To Jan. 25: “A Room of His Own” is a rare exhibition that reviews the identity of men in our time.

The curator, Lee Hye-won, said the idea for the show came from her belief that issues such as the decline of men’s status have begun to emerge as hot topics in Korea in recent years - even though many consider the country to be quite patriarchal.

The show features artists not only from Korea but also from the Middle East - Iraq, Israel, Turkey and Afghanistan - another part of the world widely regarded as being heavily dominated by men. A total of 25 artists discuss men through various mediums including interactive video pieces, sculptures and photographs.

Admission is 3,000 won ($3) for adults. Opening hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Tuesday to Sunday. The gallery is closed on Mondays.

Go to Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit 1, and walk for 10 minutes.

(02) 733-8945, www.artsonje.org

PICTURING LANDSCAPE

Kukje Gallery, Jongno District

To Jan. 25: In his latest solo show, Lee Kwang-ho displays his latest landscape paintings that depict bushes in the most desolate areas on Jeju Island during the winter. The 47-year-old’s unique brush strokes and his technique of scratching the canvas with a needle make the bushes appear raised, as if the viewer could touch them.

Admission is free. Hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and until 5 p.m. Sunday.

Go to Anguk Station, line No. 3, exit No. 1 and walk for 10 minutes.

(02) 735-8449, www.kukje.org

SONGEUN ART AWARD

SongEun Art Space, Gangnam District

To Jan. 31: This exhibition features four finalists for the annual SongEun Art Award - Sohee Cho, Sujin Do, Sojung Jun and Jinju Lee.

SongEun announced that Jun is the winner. The 33-year-old artist shows two pieces of films about people whose jobs, she says, are on the border between art and everyday work.

Cho’s installation works focus on delicate and fragile objects. Lee’s paintings deal with traumatic memories. Do’s installation works review Korean culture through architecture.

Admission is free. The exhibition’s opening hours run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Saturday. The art space is closed on Sundays.

Go to Cheongdam Station, line No. 7, exit No. 9, and walk for 10 minutes.

(02) 3448-0100, www.songeunartspace.org

GREEN GREEN GRASS

Perigee Hall & Gallery, Seocho District

To Jan. 31: Hong Kyoung Tack, one of the most internationally famous Korean painters, is best known for his works that depict pens, books and other common objects in vivid colors.

In this exhibit, he shows new landscape paintings of tranquil fields seen through gray grids that look like concrete structures. In some of the pieces, the grid is so thick that the landscape painted over it is barely visible.

The artist explained that humans see nature through certain frames of their society. Ironically, the green fields that he painted over the gray grid are not pure nature, either - they are golf courses.

Admission is free. The gallery is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. It is closed on Sunday.

Go to Nambu Bus Terminal station, line No. 3, exit No.5 and walk for 10 minutes.

(070) 4676-7034, www.perigee.co.kr

MASTERS OF KOREAN ART

Seoul Museum, Jongno District

To Feb. 15: This exhibition features 66 paintings by 36 modern Korean artists who are popular among local art collectors. The works on display, which belong to the museum’s collection, include the famous “Bull” by Lee Jung-seop (1916-56). “Apple Trees” by Lee Dai-won (1921-2005) and “Persimmons” by Oh Chi-gyun.

Admission is 9,000 won for adults, which also includes admission to Seokpajeong, a hanok (traditional Korean house) behind the museum that was once the summer residence of King Gojong’s father.

Hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Sunday. (Seokpajeong is open until 4 p.m.) Take bus Nos. 1020, 1711, 7016, 7018, 7022 or 7212 to the Jahamun Tunnel stop.

(02) 395-0100, www.seoulmuseum.org