Korean Art 1965-2015

The year 2015 marks the 50th anniversary of restored diplomatic relations between Japan and Korea. In commemoration of this milestone, this exhibition showcases South Korean art that was created after 1965 from the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum collection.

In contemporary history, Korea has faced many struggles: the division of the Korean peninsula, a military dictatorship, and various social problems attributable to rapid economic expansion. South Korean art, which is closely involved in the social circumstances, has explored its expressions in these issues. During the 1960s, “Informalism,” which was initially influenced by Western art, became a focal point for artists who needed a spiritual search after the Korean War. In the late 1960s, the anti-art trend of incorporating everyday objects into art arose from the urbanization and consumeristic culture. Having been derived from previous pictorial trends, the 1970s witnessed serene paintings in monochromatic tones and works that creatively emphasized the presence of “Things.” At the height of democratization in the 1980s, the social role of art was pursued through expressions such as Minjung Misul or “People’s Art.” In the 1990s and 2000s, diverse artistic expressions, including media art and three-dimensional works, sprang up. Artists who valued their personal interests became active players in the international art scene.

This exhibition focuses on the history and progressive nature, compared to other Asian countries, of contemporary Korean art. You may think you know Korea, but this exhibition will open your mind to new artistic expressions of the country.