PUBLICART NEW HERO: GROUP EXHIBITION
The exhibition Public Art New Heroes, which introduces contemporary visual artists with outstanding abilities, will be held from July 5 to 25, co-hosted by Public Art magazine and K&L MUSEUM. This year marks the 6th edition of the exhibition, which features creative and experimental works in painting, sculpture, installation, and video by 29 artists who are set to lead the contemporary art world. The exhibition offers a broad cultural and artistic exchange, presenting the works of promising emerging artists and providing an opportunity to explore their innovative practices.
The exhibition showcases fresh artistic worlds approached from multiple angles, serving as a platform to observe the next generation of artists who will shape the Korean art scene. It also functions as a space for artists and experts to engage in dialogue, expanding the boundaries of art and contributing to the broader development of art culture.
The exhibition features artists from the Public Art New Heroes program, including the 2021 participants: Kwak In-tan, Kim Min-jeong, Kim Chae-rin, Park Kwan-woo, Yoon Seok-won, Lee Min-seon, and Lim Ji-min, as well as 2022 participants: Kim Won-jin, Unhappy Circuit, Jang Ip-gyu, Choi Min-gyu, Choi Ji-won, Huh Soo-young, Hong Se-jin, 2023 participants: Kim Yeong-gyu, Kim Jeong-eun, Kim Hyun-seok, Kim Hee-su, Noh Hyun-tak, Seo Seong-hyeop, Lee Ung-cheol, and 2024 participants: Kwon Da-ye, Kim Yeong-jin, Kim Ji-min, Lee Deok-jong, Lee Jin-hyeong, Lim Eun-kyung, Jo Yeong-gak, and Hwang Jeong-hyun. These 29 artists present a diverse range of fresh and experimental works in various genres, such as painting, sculpture, installation, and video, that will help shape the future of contemporary Korean art.
Each work in this exhibition not only expresses the artists' personal narratives but also actively engages with the political, economic, and cultural realities of the society in which it was created. The works reflect various codes that examine how art is produced, consumed, and shaped by the broader social context. For this reason, the content embedded in the works is just as important as the visual image itself, making it a noteworthy exhibition.
Since 2007, Public Art has been conducting the Public Art New Heroes open-call project to discover and support creative and promising artists. To date, a total of 160 artists have emerged from this program and are actively contributing to both the domestic and international art scenes.
In addition, Public Art and K&L MUSEUM, which opened last year, have established close collaboration by sharing networks and facilities in the art world. They actively communicate with artists and exchange necessary information. Through the Public Art New Heroes exhibition, both institutions aim to contribute to the expansion of art culture by introducing artists who approach visual art from multiple perspectives.
Baek Dong-min, the publisher of Public Art, commented: “This exhibition presents works across various layers, expanding the boundaries of art through genre and media. You will encounter experimental works by the next generation of Korean artists that reflect the spirit of today's converging and hybridized era, thus expanding the boundaries of art”.
Kim Seong-min, director of K&L MUSEUM, emphasized, “This exhibition is not just about viewing artworks but also about creating opportunities for artists and art professionals to share a wide range of art cultures through mutual exchange. We aim to become a local private museum that offers abundant opportunities for cultural and artistic enjoyment to the public through exchange programs like this exhibition, which marks the beginning of diversifying the museum’s exhibition program with diverse and rich shows.”
