▲ Yoo Youngkuk, Mountain(South), 1968, Oil on canvas, 129x129cm, MMCA Lee Kun-hee Collection ⓒ MMCA

From July 12 to September 29, 2024, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Cheongju will host a special exhibition titled "Visible Storage: Yoo Youngkuk." This exhibition is set to showcase the renowned Korean artist Yoo Youngkuk's Mountain series, offering a unique blend of storage and exhibition within the museum’s Visible Storage on the second floor.

The Visible Storage at MMCA Cheongju is a groundbreaking concept where the art storage itself becomes an exhibit, allowing visitors to view the interior through glass windows. This innovative approach combines the functions of ‘storage’ and ‘exhibition,’ creating a dynamic experience for art lovers. Following the successful exhibition of overseas masterpieces from the MMCA Lee Kun-hee Collection, this new display aims to highlight the exceptional works of Yoo Youngkuk, a pioneer of Korean abstract art. 

▲ Yoo Youngkuk, Mountain, 1970, Oil on canvas, 136.5x136.5cm, MMCA Lee Kun-hee Collection ⓒ MMCA

Yoo Youngkuk (1916-2002) was a first-generation Western-style painter in Korea and a trailblazer in Korean abstract art. Known for his striking use of color and abstract forms to depict Korean landscapes such as mountains and seas, Yoo's work is celebrated for its bold and restrained style.

Born in Uljin, North Gyeongsang Province, Yoo's journey in art began after he dropped out of Seoul Second High School (now Gyungbock High School) and moved to Japan in 1935. He studied at the Bunka Gakuin University in Tokyo, renowned for its liberal academic atmosphere, where he formed connections with fellow Korean artists like Kim Whanki, Chang Ucchin, and Lee Jungseob. 

▲ Yoo Youngkuk, Work(Mountain), 1968, Oil on canvas, 135x135cm ⓒ MMCA

Yoo’s passion for avant-garde art flourished as he became active in progressive art groups in Japan, including the Independent Art Association and the Association of Free Artists. In 1938, he was honored with the Association Award at the 2nd Exhibition of the Association of Free Artists. However, with the onset of the Pacific War, Yoo returned to Korea in 1943 and paused his artistic pursuits for about a decade to manage his father’s brewery.

In 1948, Yoo resumed his artistic career as a professor of Fine Arts at Seoul National University. He co-founded Korea's first abstract art group, New Realism, with Kim Whanki and Lee Kyusang. During the January 4 Retreat in 1951, Yoo sought refuge in Uljin but returned to Seoul in 1955 to fully re-engage with his art. 

▲ The poster of the exhibition ⓒ MMCA
He played a significant role in the Modern Art Association and the New Figures Group before focusing exclusively on his solo work. His first solo exhibition in 1964 marked the beginning of his dedication to creating a unique artistic vision.

Yoo Youngkuk's contributions to Korean abstract art are profound. His work not only defined a new direction for Korean abstract painting but also opened new horizons in the turbulent backdrop of Korea's modern history. The "Visible Storage: Yoo Youngkuk" exhibition at MMCA Cheongju offers a rare glimpse into the legacy of an artist who profoundly influenced the course of Korean art.

Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com