Around us now is the Hanju Gallery, a space where art transcends boundaries. What’s on here? What’s it all about?
Let’s talk about galleries. Hakgojae Gallery first opened in Seoul in 1988. It became a center of the Korean art market. The gallery charted directions on how Korean art should be developed within global culture.
The name Hakgojae comes from the saying “to review the old to learn the new”. This isn’t just about historical facts. In Korea learning about the past involves self-reflection due to Japanese colonialism and the country’s division.
Hakgojae Gallery connects the old and new. It bridges the region and the world. Its exhibitions clearly show this identity. The Gallery has presented over 200 exhibitions. These exhibitions focus on bridging the past and the new. Hakgojae Gallery wants to see what of the present will last into the future. This is important as a cultural institution in the global art market.
Historical art exhibitions curated by prestige art historians have been presented. These include Paintings in the Late of Korean Empire in 1988. Calligraphy in the Middle of Joseon Dynasty came in 1990. Landscape of Meeting and Parting followed in 2000.
The gallery steadily shows works of artists. They reinterpret traditional Korean philosophy through contemporary art. Examples include solo exhibitions by Nam June Paik. He founded video art. Lee Ufan advocates for Dansaekhwa. Chung Sang Hwa is a foremost artist of Dansaekhwa. Yun Suknam is a pioneering figure of Asian feminist art. Ma Liuming is a performance artist. Jia Youfu and Tian Liming are leading artists of modern Chinese ink painting. These exhibitions highlighted masterpieces and solidified the gallery’s status in Korea and Asia.
Hakgojae Gallery tries to solidify the roots of Korean modern art. “Seeking Eidos”: Korean Abstract Painters 7 reilluminated artists. These included Ree Bong Sang and Ryu Kyung Chai. Hakgojae Gallery wants to create opportunities. These opportunities allow research and illumination of Korean modern art pioneers. Hakgojae Gallery supported Korean “Minjung art”. This played a part in gaining prestige in Korea.
The rise of the Korean economy in the ’70s and ’80s fueled democratization calls. Minjung art sprang from cultural uprising against the military dictatorship. Hakgojae Gallery exhibited Minjung artists like Oh Yoon and Shin Hak-Chul. Art history sheds light on Minjung art as a significant accomplishment.
The gallery shows discernment in involving itself with contemporary art pioneers. These include Yun Suknam and Park Young Ha. Some artists were invited to global biennales. They received favorable reviews. Others participated in exhibitions at leading art museums in Asia and Europe.
Hakgojae Gallery introduced dynamic works by acclaimed international artists to Korea. This includes Minimalism as Landscape with Frank Stella and Donald Judd. The twentieth-anniversary exhibition was titled Sensitive System. It featured Lee Ufan and Roman Opalka. Unconstraint Creation featured Chung Sang Hwa and Ha Chong Hyun. Hakgojae Gallery presented works by Tim Eitel in solo exhibitions. More recently Fiona Rae and Andreas Eriksson exhibited.
Hakgojae Gallery participates in international art fairs to promote Korean artists. They also attract international artists to local exhibitions. Hakgoaje Gallery participates in Art Basel Hong Kong, Frieze Masters, and Art Brussels.
Hakgojae Gallery is where the past and present intersect. East and West communicate. Regions interconnect. The gallery’s identity brings two worlds together. The main building is a traditional Korean Hanok. The annex has characteristics of the 21st century. Hakgojae Gallery enables us to envision our tomorrows. It believes in the incomprehensible side of art. It seeks artists who contribute insight and astonishment. The gallery shares joy and sorrow with artists who will shape the future.