The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) will present an exhibition featuring works by the four finalists for the prestigious 2025 Korea Artist Award. The selected artists represent diverse approaches to contemporary art, each bringing unique perspectives to explore overlooked aspects of modern society.
This year's finalists include Kim Young-eun, an innovative sound artist who investigates how political and historical forces shape auditory experiences and collective memory. Kim Ji-pyeong challenges conventional artistic boundaries by reimagining traditional Korean painting techniques to address contemporary social issues. Im Young-zoo creates multidisciplinary works that examine how modern Korean society interprets and relates to ancient mythologies and religious beliefs. The fourth finalist, Unmake Lab, is an artist collective that employs artificial intelligence technology to analyze and critique the rapid technological transformation affecting Korean society and its environmental impact.
Despite their different artistic mediums and approaches, museum officials noted that all four finalists share a unifying vision. According to the MMCA, they are "linked by a common thread" in their mission to "address the unseen -- the concealed or omitted, the marginalized or forgotten layers of the world" through various media and artistic languages. The museum emphasized that these artists "interrogate the politics of representation and engage in critical reflection on the very ways in which we perceive the world."
Kim Young-eun's practice centers on sound art and the politics of listening. Her work explores how sonic experiences contribute to identity formation, with particular attention to historical and political contexts. Her most recent project incorporates recorded testimonies and memories from immigrant communities, using their voices to tell stories that are often overlooked in mainstream narratives.
Kim Ji-pyeong's artistic approach merges traditional Eastern painting methodologies with contemporary subject matter. Her paintings depict forgotten individuals, overlooked landscapes, and pressing issues like climate change, all rendered through classical techniques. This fusion demonstrates how traditional artistic practices remain relevant and powerful tools for addressing present-day concerns.
Im Young-zoo focuses her artistic exploration on the concept of belief systems in contemporary Korea. Her work examines how faith and belief manifest in modern Korean society, where ancient superstitions coexist with cutting-edge science and technology. Her primary installation piece, titled "The Late," is a complex video work that contemplates themes of mortality and existence, weaving together elements from past, present, and future temporal experiences.
Unmake Lab, the two-person artist team, utilizes artificial intelligence as their primary creative tool. Their featured work "New-Village" generates a surreal and unpredictable virtual community that mirrors real-world uncertainty and social instability. The piece questions utopian visions of AI-planned futures while highlighting the inherent unpredictability of technological progress.
The Korea Artist Award has been jointly sponsored by the MMCA and the SBS Culture Foundation since 2012. The annual prize recognizes exceptional artists who demonstrate keen insight into both societal issues and artistic innovation. Each of the four finalists receives 50 million won (approximately $36,000) to support the creation and presentation of their artwork, while the ultimate winner will receive an additional 10 million won prize.
The exhibition showcasing all four finalists' works will open to the public on Friday and continue through February 1 of next year, providing visitors with an extended opportunity to experience these thought-provoking contemporary artworks that challenge viewers to reconsider hidden aspects of modern life.
