Blue House opens its first exhibit highlighting artists with disabilities

Arts & Design

Published: 31 Aug. 2022, 15:37 Updated: 31 Aug. 2022, 16:11

Blue House opens its first exhibit highlighting artists with disabilities

″Special Exhibition for the Disabled Artists,″ the first art exhibition in the Blue House as a multi-purpose cultural complex, kicked off Wednesday. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE SPORTS AND TOURISM]

The first art exhibition at the Blue House kicked off on Wednesday, about a month after Culture Minister Park Bo-gyoon announced that the ministry will be transforming the Blue House into a “multi-purpose cultural complex.” The first exhibit is by artists with disabilities.

The "Special Exhibition for the Disabled Artists" displays a total of 60 works by 50 artists with disabilities at the Blue House’s Chunchugwan, a building where press conferences were held.

The disabled artists who attend the press conference for the exhibition on Wednesday pose for a picture in Chunchugwan of the Blue House. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE SPORTS AND TOURISM]

Bae Eun-joo, the head of the Korean Federation of Disability Cultural and Arts Associations of Korea said that the 50 artists with different types of disabilities were selected to showcase their works through a public competition.

The federation has been holding exhibitions at different venues during the “A+ Festival,” an annual culture and arts festival for people with disabilities that is celebrating its 13th edition this year. Since this year’s exhibition is at the Blue House, Bae said it was important for the federation to promote not just the artworks but the artists themselves.

“Since so many people visit the Blue House, we wanted to ask the artists to come forward and talk about their works to let people know how talented these artists with disabilities are,” said Bae.

For the first time, the federation has made an art book to distribute to visitors to the exhibit, which includes information about all 50 artists and their artworks. Artists will also be present during weekends to hold "Talks with the Artists" sessions. The federation even held a press event on Wednesday and invited all the artists to meet the press.

Jung Eun-hye's ″Yeong-ok and Yeong-hee" is displayed at the exhibition. [YIM SEUNG-HYE]

Among the participating artists, is actor Jung Eun-hye, who was featured in the hit tvN drama series “Our Blues,” which wrapped up on June 12. Jung, who has Down Syndrome, made her small screen debut in the series playing Yeong-hee the twin sister of Yeong-ok, played by actor Han Ji-min. The exhibit displays Jung’s work “Yeong-ok and Yeong-hee,” which also features in the series.

Jung Sung-won, 21, who has an intellectual disability, is the youngest artist participating in the exhibit. Her colorful artwork depicting a cute fox enjoying the sun at a swimming pool, titled “Poolside Party” attracted a lot of cameras on Wednesday for its use of vibrant colors. Jung, who participated in the press event on Wednesday said she enjoyed painting a fox as it represents her.

Jung pose in front of her work ″Poolside Party″ on Wednesday at the Blue House's Chunchugwan, where the exhibit kicked off. [YIM SEUNG-HYE]

“I wanted to draw a fox in my painting because it’s who I am and they also become my friends,” Jung said, with the help of her mother.

According to Jung’s mother, Kim Dae-hee, Jung has loved painting ever since she was an elementary school student and her talent was recognized when she won various awards not just for artists with disabilities, but young artists in general.

“I paint because I am happy to see other people feel happy after seeing my works,” said Jung.

Visitors to the special exhibit at the Blue House enjoy the artworks by disabled artists on Wednesday. [MINISTRY OF CULTURE, SPORTS AND TOURISM]

The exhibit is barrier-free, allowing visitors with disabilities to enjoy the exhibition as well. The art book has been produced in Braille and there’s a lift to take wheelchair users up to the second floor of Chunchugwan.

The exhibit runs until Sept. 19.

BY YIM SEUNG-HYE [yim.seunghye@joongang.co.kr]