Inkong Archive
From March 26 to May 10, PIBI Gallery presents Inkong Archive, a special exhibition featuring archival materials and works from Inkong Gallery, a pioneering first-generation contemporary art gallery that paved new pathways in the Korean art scene. Marking the official transfer of the Inkong Gallery Archive to PIBI Gallery, this exhibition has been carefully curated through extensive research and systematic documentation. By revisiting key works and archival materials from Inkong Gallery鈥檚 founder and director, Hwang Hyon-uk, alongside its affiliated artists, the exhibition highlights the gallery鈥檚 pivotal role in shaping the Korean art landscape of the 1980s and 1990s.
Established in 1986 in Daegu by artist and curator Hwang Hyon-uk, Inkong Gallery expanded to Seoul in 1988, opening Inkong Gallery Seoul in Daehangno and ushering in a new chapter for contemporary Korean art. With its 8-meter-high ceilings and groundbreaking white cube architecture, Inkong Gallery Seoul redefined the possibilities of exhibition venues in the Korean art scene and drew significant attention. Furthermore, the gallery played a significant role in championing artists such as Yun Hyong-keun, Lee Ufan, Kim Yong-Ik, and Park Hyunki, whose works had yet to gain full recognition in the mainstream art world, helping to identify and bring attention to their artistic significance early on. Additionally, it served as a bridge between Korea and the global art scene, introducing major contemporary art movements through solo exhibitions of artists such as Donald Judd (1928鈥�1994) in 1991 and Richard Long (b. 1945) in 1993.
Inkong Archive revisits Inkong Gallery鈥檚 landmark exhibitions and activities of the 1980s and 1990s, presenting major works by artists closely associated with Hwang Hyon-uk. The exhibition includes works from Inkong Gallery鈥檚 collection and past shows, featuring Yun Hyong-keun鈥檚 late-1980s paintings, Lee Ufan鈥檚 paintings and terracotta works, Kim Yong-Ik鈥檚 large-scale paintings from his 1991 solo exhibition at Inkong Gallery, as well as early 2000s pieces, Rhee Kibong鈥檚 works from Inkong Gallery Seoul鈥檚 1988 opening exhibition, and Lee Kyojun鈥檚 charcoal drawings. In addition, a diverse selection of archival materials鈥攊ncluding exhibition posters, previously unseen photographs, letters, and official documents鈥攑rovides a deeper understanding of Inkong Gallery鈥檚 significance in the Korean art scene of its time.
This exhibition reexamines the gallery鈥檚 role in Korea鈥檚 contemporary art history, shedding light on the experimental practices and new artistic currents that emerged through Inkong Gallery and its artists during the 1980s and 1990s. Moreover, it invites reflection on how the gallery鈥檚 brief yet influential presence led to critical moments and turning points in Korean contemporary art. Amidst the rapid growth of the Korean art market today, Inkong Archive is expected to spark discourse on the role and significance of galleries.
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From March 26 to May 10, PIBI Gallery presents Inkong Archive, a special exhibition featuring archival materials and works from Inkong Gallery, a pioneering first-generation contemporary art gallery that paved new pathways in the Korean art scene. Marking the official transfer of the Inkong Gallery Archive to PIBI Gallery, this exhibition has been carefully curated through extensive research and systematic documentation. By revisiting key works and archival materials from Inkong Gallery鈥檚 founder and director, Hwang Hyon-uk, alongside its affiliated artists, the exhibition highlights the gallery鈥檚 pivotal role in shaping the Korean art landscape of the 1980s and 1990s.
Established in 1986 in Daegu by artist and curator Hwang Hyon-uk, Inkong Gallery expanded to Seoul in 1988, opening Inkong Gallery Seoul in Daehangno and ushering in a new chapter for contemporary Korean art. With its 8-meter-high ceilings and groundbreaking white cube architecture, Inkong Gallery Seoul redefined the possibilities of exhibition venues in the Korean art scene and drew significant attention. Furthermore, the gallery played a significant role in championing artists such as Yun Hyong-keun, Lee Ufan, Kim Yong-Ik, and Park Hyunki, whose works had yet to gain full recognition in the mainstream art world, helping to identify and bring attention to their artistic significance early on. Additionally, it served as a bridge between Korea and the global art scene, introducing major contemporary art movements through solo exhibitions of artists such as Donald Judd (1928鈥�1994) in 1991 and Richard Long (b. 1945) in 1993.
Inkong Archive revisits Inkong Gallery鈥檚 landmark exhibitions and activities of the 1980s and 1990s, presenting major works by artists closely associated with Hwang Hyon-uk. The exhibition includes works from Inkong Gallery鈥檚 collection and past shows, featuring Yun Hyong-keun鈥檚 late-1980s paintings, Lee Ufan鈥檚 paintings and terracotta works, Kim Yong-Ik鈥檚 large-scale paintings from his 1991 solo exhibition at Inkong Gallery, as well as early 2000s pieces, Rhee Kibong鈥檚 works from Inkong Gallery Seoul鈥檚 1988 opening exhibition, and Lee Kyojun鈥檚 charcoal drawings. In addition, a diverse selection of archival materials鈥攊ncluding exhibition posters, previously unseen photographs, letters, and official documents鈥攑rovides a deeper understanding of Inkong Gallery鈥檚 significance in the Korean art scene of its time.
This exhibition reexamines the gallery鈥檚 role in Korea鈥檚 contemporary art history, shedding light on the experimental practices and new artistic currents that emerged through Inkong Gallery and its artists during the 1980s and 1990s. Moreover, it invites reflection on how the gallery鈥檚 brief yet influential presence led to critical moments and turning points in Korean contemporary art. Amidst the rapid growth of the Korean art market today, Inkong Archive is expected to spark discourse on the role and significance of galleries.
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