The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) is currently presenting the exhibition MMCA Collection: Social Life of Artworks, which delves into the significance of its collection processes and the broader social context of the artworks it holds. The exhibition, running from September 12 to October 13, 2024, at MMCA’s Deoksugung branch, offers a rare look at the pieces acquired through the museum's ‘management transfer’ process—a method by which artworks previously owned by government agencies and public organizations are transferred to the museum for preservation and display.
The practice of ‘management transfer’ has played a critical role in expanding the MMCA’s collection. To date, artworks obtained through this process account for 1.87% of the museum’s holdings, with 217 pieces (excluding archival materials) out of a total of 11,560. This particular exhibition showcases a selection of these transferred artworks and related archival materials from the period before the Government Art Bank was established in 2012. The Art Bank was created to professionally manage and preserve art objects acquired by government offices.
The exhibition emphasizes how these artworks provide insight not only into the evolution of Korean modern art but also into the social and historical context that influenced their creation and acquisition. While these pieces may not have been selected according to the museum’s current collection policies, their provenance—having been acquired by government agencies to promote art and enhance cultural access—offers a unique lens through which to appreciate their cultural significance.
Art provenance, which refers to the ownership history of a work, has long been important in determining both its authenticity and its value. However, when the provenance involves a government agency rather than an individual collector, as in the case of these transferred works, the focus shifts to understanding the artwork’s role within its historical and social framework. This exhibition highlights the importance of government support for the arts during periods of limited art market activity in Korea, underscoring the cultural and educational purpose behind these acquisitions.
Featuring around 70 works from 40 artists, the exhibition includes pieces by prominent figures in Korean art such as Kim Whanki, Park Seobo, Lee Ungno, and Chung Changsup. Spanning a range of media—including paintings, sculptures, and calligraphy—the exhibition offers visitors a comprehensive view of Korea’s modern art history, as seen through the lens of state-supported art acquisitions.
MMCA Director Kim Seong-hee noted that this exhibition is part of the museum’s ongoing efforts to provide the public with deeper access to Korean art and its historical significance. By focusing on these transferred works, the MMCA not only highlights the museum’s role in art preservation but also explores the relationship between government policy, cultural development, and artistic expression.
As MMCA continues to present exhibitions that engage with both the art and its surrounding societal factors, MMCA Collection: Social Life of Artworks offers a valuable opportunity for visitors to understand how art reflects and shapes the collective memory of a nation.
Sayart / Sayart, sayart2022@gmail.com
