National Academy of Arts' 70th anniversary celebrated at London exhibition

Arts & Design

Published: 03 Jul. 2024, 14:03 Updated: 03 Jul. 2024, 14:29

National Academy of Arts' 70th anniversary celebrated at London exhibition

Artists Youn Myeung-ro, left, and Yoo Hee-young [NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ARTS]

The government will host a contemporary Korean art exhibition in London from Thursday to Aug. 23 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the National Academy of Arts of Korea.

The exhibition, titled "Across the Decades," will highlight works by 17 senior artists who have shaped contemporary Korean art, including 13 active members of the academy's art division and four late members. Pieces by Lee Jong-sang, Yoo Hee-young and Youn Myeung-ro, among other artists, will be showcased at the exhibition.

Members of the academy's art division have introduced contemporary Korean art overseas through special exhibitions at Korean Cultural Centers since 2017.

Poster for ″Across the Decades″ exhibition [NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ARTS]

Starting with the Korean Cultural Center in Beijing in 2017, the academy continued to hold special exhibitions at the Korean Cultural Centers in Japan, France, the United States and more. This year’s special exhibition will be held in the Korean Cultural Centre U.K.

The Korean Cultural Centre U.K. has supported the expansion of the Korean visual arts field by introducing veteran Korean artists to the public and nurturing emerging artists since its establishment in 2008.

“We are honored to showcase the origins of contemporary Korean art through the works of the National Academy of Arts' art division members in London,” said Director Sun Seung-hye of the Korean Cultural Centre UK. “This year, we have prepared a valuable opportunity to appreciate 20th century Korean aesthetics through a special exhibition celebrating the 70th anniversary of the National Academy of Arts.”

“With the Korean Cultural Centre U.K.’s efforts, interest in Korean art in the U.K. is higher than ever,” said President Shin Soo-jung of the academy. “The exhibition, which shows the past and present works of senior artists who laid the foundation for contemporary Korean art during the academy's 70-year history, is significant in enhancing understanding of contemporary Korean art.”

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]