GROUP EXHIBITON

The museum is launched with two inaugural exhibitions under the theme ‘Light Obssession:The Radiance: Beginnings of Korean Art Photography’ and ’Storage Story’. Together, the exhibitions highlight both the historical roots and contemporary potential of Korean photographic practice, marking the official debut of the museum’s collection and offering a multidimensional reflection on the institution’s formation.

‘The Radiance: Beginnings of Korean Art Photography’ presents works by five pivotal artists — Jung Haechang, Lim Suk Je, Lee Hyungrok, Cho Hyundu, and Park Youngsook, — who each played a defining role in shaping the history of Korean art photography. Drawing from the museum’s growing collection, the exhibition traces the evolution of the medium from its early introduction in Korea through the late 20th century.

Over the past decade, the museum has acquired more than 20,000 works and archival materials created between the 1920s and 1990s, following extensive research into key figures of Korean photographic history. This marks the first public presentation of the collection.

‘Storage Story’, presenting photography-based works by six contemporary artists — Dongsin Seo, Won Seoung Won, Jihyun Jung, Joo Yongseong, Melmel Chung, Oh Jooyoung — reflects on the founding process of the museum. Each artist created new work that explores the institution’s identity through photography as both a documentary tool and a medium of expression.

The resulting works engage with the museum’s architecture and spatial design, archival practices, and the notions of memory and place. Collectively, they reimagine the museum not merely as a site of display, but as a space of creation, preservation, and reflection — inviting visitors to encounter photography as a lived and spatial experience.

Running alongside the exhibitions is a series of public programs — including talks and events held on weekends and public holidays from May through August — that will explore the museum’s collection and founding process through the voices of artists, researchers, and curators.

Photography Seoul Museum of Art is Korea’s first public art museum devoted entirely to photographic media. It aims to show the power and artistic value of photography; foster dynamic exchange between artists, curators, critics, and audiences both locally and internationally; and lead research into the history and future of Korean photography.

Through a year-round program of creative and experimental exhibitions, educational initiatives and research, the museum is committed to advancing a comprehensive understanding of more than a century of Korean photographic history and exploring forward-looking possibilities in photographic art. Building on this foundation, it will continue to collect relevant archival materials and share its findings with the public. As an open and inclusive institution, the museum also aims to serve as a cultural platform that embraces diverse interests and perspectives.

Choi Eunju, General Director of the Seoul Museum of Art, commented:

“Together with Buk-Seoul Museum of Art, we hope that Photography Seoul Museum of Art will become a new cultural anchor in the northeastern region of Seoul. By exploring photography as one of the most accessible yet critically positioned mediums in both the history of art and contemporary practice, we aim to establish this institution as Korea’s leading museum of photography and a prominent presence in Asia and beyond.”