2023 Exhibition II <Between Figuration and Abstraction>

2023 Special Exhibition II "Between Figuration and Abstraction" is aimed at exploring the works of artists who struggled in the vibrant Korean art scene starting from the 1960s when abstract art began to dominate Korea. The exhibition seeks to examine both the works of artists during that era and those that evolved thereafter.

While the contemporary paintings may seem to be characterized by the opposition between figuration and abstraction, it cannot be simply categorized based on the representational and expressive methods due to Korea's unique historical context. The challenge lies in how to assimilate the freshness of Western influences that swept through the art scene and incorporate it into the artistic process. Moreover, the exhibition questions what artistic practices are necessary to ensure that our distinctive Korean identity does not evaporate, and it delves into the artistic values and focal points that should remain unchanged amidst the transforming times.

The exhibition is composed of works that encapsulate important values that cannot be sufficiently explained by the formal distinction between figuration and abstraction. It calls for the abandonment of traditional aesthetics and the bold embrace of avant-garde tendencies, particularly exemplified by the establishment of Informel in Korea. In the process of settling and manifesting in Korea, Informel brought forth a fervent interplay between figuration and abstraction, reflecting the artists' arduous survival and passionate pursuit of artistic accomplishments. Through the "Between Figuration and Abstraction" exhibition, this rich interplay is expected to be vividly conceived and abstracted.