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The Modern and Contemporary Korean Calligraphy

Date: July 6 to October 21, 2024

Curator: Bae Wonjung, MMCA

Artists:

Son Jae-hyeong, Hyeon Junghwa, Kim Ki-seung, Yoo Hee-kang, Song Seongyong, Lee Cheolgyeong, Lee Giwoo, Kim Choonghyun, Kim Eunghyun, Seo Hee-hwan, Kwon Chang-ryun, Park Won-gyu, Jung Do-jun, Hwang Sukbong, Choi Minyuel, Kim Jong-won, Yeo Tae-myong, Park Seho, Lee Ungno, Nam Kwan, Kim Ki-chang, Kim Chong Yung, Kim Tschang-yeul, Choi Manlin, Lee Ufan, Lee Cheol Joo, Lee Chung Ji, Lee Kang So, Oh Sufan, Hwang Changbae, Kim Heryun, Chung Byung Ryei, Ahn Sang-soo, Lee Ill-goo, Gang Byung-in, Kim Zhongkun, Lee Sang-hyun.

“The Modern and Contemporary Korean Calligraphy” marks the first international collaboration between the Hengshan Calligraphy Art Center (HCAC) and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA). This groundbreaking exhibition is the first comprehensive presentation of modern and contemporary Korean calligraphy in Taiwan. MMCA, renowned as Korea’s premier national art museum, specializes in showcasing a diverse array of modern and contemporary artworks. In 2020, MMCA curator Bae Wonjung made a historic contribution by organizing a special exhibition dedicated to modern and contemporary Korean calligraphy.

HCAC, aspiring to become an international hub for calligraphy art, has recognized the scarcity of comprehensive exhibitions and research on Korean calligraphy in Taiwan. In collaboration with MMCA, HCAC has brought significant works of modern and contemporary Korean calligraphy to Taiwan, creating a unique opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of calligraphy across East Asia.

This exhibition delves into the evolution and nuanced understanding of calligraphy in Korean. It traces the transformation from ancient Korean calligraphy, known as 書 or seo, through the Japanese colonial period when it was termed 서도 or seodo, meaning “way of calligraphy,” to the post-World War II era when Son Jae-hyeong popularized the term 서예 or seoye, meaning “art of calligraphy.” This exhibition not only highlights the historical journey of calligraphy but also its pivotal role and significance in modern and contemporary Korean art.

Divided into four thematic sections—“The Person in the Script,” “Revisiting Calligraphy,” “Drawing Calligraphy, Writing Painting,” and “Infusing Daily Life with Design”—the exhibition features 95 meticulously selected works. These pieces illustrate the development and transformation of Korean calligraphy since World War II, offering insights into Korean calligraphers’ exploration and reflections on the essence of Korean calligraphy. The diverse styles and forms showcased include Korean, Chinese, and Japanese calligraphy, as well as Western modern art, blending classical traditions, Korean nationalism, and modernization.

Visitors will encounter rare and culturally significant works, such as Son Jae-hyeong’s A Rubbing of the Stele Commemorating Admiral Lee’s Victory at Byeokpajin Ferry, Kim Choonghyun’s Song of Dosan by Jo Seong-sin, and Lee Ungno’s I Ching 64 Hexagrams Sequence. These masterpieces, seldom seen in Taiwan, epitomize the dialectical relationship between “calligraphy” and “art,” showcasing the vibrant facets of modern and contemporary Korean calligraphy.

To enhance the exhibition experience, an Exhibition Forum has been organized, featuring esteemed speakers such as Professor Kim Yisoon from Hongik University, Director of Research Kim Hyun Kwon from Kansong Art Museum, Associate Professor Moon Junghee from Tainan National University of the Arts, Assistant Professor Shen Yu-Chang from Tainan National University of the Arts, and Assistant Professor Huang Bo-hao from National Taipei University of Education. These experts will discuss the development of post-war Korean calligraphy and draw comparisons with Taiwanese calligraphy, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation among the Taiwanese audience.

Join us for the Exhibition Forum on Saturday, July 6, at 10:00 AM, at the International Auditorium of the Taoyuan Children’s Art Center. Registration is open, and on-site waitlisting is available for those who have not pre-registered.

The Modern and Contemporary Korean Calligraphy

Date: July 6 to October 21, 2024

Time: Wednesdays to Mondays, 9:30 AM to 5 PM, Closed on Tuesdays

Location: The Hengshan Calligraphy Art Center (No. 100, Daren Rd., Dayuan Dist., Taoyuan, Taiwan)

Exhibition Forum (In Mandarin and Korean)

Time: July 6, 2024 (Saturday), 10 AM to 5 PM.

Location: International Auditorium of the Taoyuan Children’s Art Center (No. 90, Sec. 2, Gaotie S. Rd., Jhongli Dist., Taoyuan, Taiwan)

URL for Booking (In Chinese) 

Supervisors: Taoyuan City Government, Taoyuan City Council, Department of Cultural Affairs, Taoyuan City.

Organizers: Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts | Hengshan Calligraphy ArtCenter, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea

Sponsor: Membership Society for MMCA, Korea