The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), in collaboration with the SBS Foundation, presents Korea Artist Prize 2024, an annual exhibition that highlights the forefront of Korean contemporary art. Scheduled to run from October 25, 2024, to March 23, 2025, at MMCA Seoul, the exhibition features four groundbreaking artists: Hayoun Kwon, Yang Jung-uk, Jiyoung Yoon, and Jane Jin Kaisen. Now in its 10th edition, the Korea Artist Prize continues to support artists in creating new works and advancing their international recognition, serving as a vital platform for showcasing innovation and creative excellence.

The participating artists offer deeply introspective works that address themes of memory, identity, and humanity, reflecting both individual experiences and broader societal questions. Jiyoung Yoon explores the human condition through sculptural language, capturing unseen psychological states. Her works resonate with a sense of sacrifice, hope, and prayer, presenting layered narratives through tangible forms. Hayoun Kwon takes viewers beyond the limits of reality by employing virtual reality to construct immersive, shared experiences. Her VR installation, The Guardians of Jade Mountain, invites audiences into a reimagined world, compelling them to reconsider the essence of memory and storytelling.

Yang Jung-uk's kinetic sculptures, driven by perpetual motion, embody the resilience of individuals navigating hardship and hope. His works bridge the personal and universal, prompting viewers to reflect on their everyday lives through repetitive, meditative movement. Meanwhile, Jane Jin Kaisen examines the history, culture, and collective memory of Jeju Island, offering poetic depictions of its landscapes and people. Her multidisciplinary approach connects past and present, exploring alternative narratives and relationships through collaborative processes.

The Korea Artist Prize 2024 aims to challenge and expand our understanding of contemporary art, posing critical questions about self-reflection, memory, and human connection. By presenting diverse visual languages and storytelling methods, the exhibition encourages viewers to consider how art can help us understand ourselves and the world we inhabit. How deeply can we look within? How do we confront the risk of forgetting? Can art inspire us to dream of a more beautiful, connected existence? These are just a few of the thought-provoking inquiries the artists explore through their works.

A notable highlight of the exhibition is Hayoun Kwon’s The Guardians of Jade Mountain, an innovative VR artwork that provides an immersive 20-minute experience. Visitors must reserve access to this installation in advance, either online or on-site, with slots available on a first-come, first-served basis. The VR experience, set within a specially designated space in Gallery 1, offers participants a unique opportunity to engage with Kwon’s visionary storytelling.

The Korea Artist Prize 2024 exemplifies MMCA's mission to promote contemporary Korean art on a global stage while fostering deeper engagement with local audiences. With a collection of 45 works displayed across two galleries, the exhibition invites viewers to embark on a journey of visual and emotional exploration. It not only celebrates the creativity of its featured artists but also underscores art's transformative power to inspire dialogue, reflection, and meaningful connections.

The event is co-organized by MMCA and the SBS Foundation, with additional support from Dongkuk CM and Samwon Paper. Admission to the exhibition is 2,000 won, and details about reservations for special programs, including The Guardians of Jade Mountain, can be accessed through MMCA's official website. As Korea’s leading contemporary art platform, Korea Artist Prize 2024 continues to shine a spotlight on visionary artists, creating a space where diverse stories and perspectives converge in meaningful ways.

Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com