Color permeates all aspects of life and, depending on the culture, carries multiple meanings. In Korea, five fundamental colors—white, black, red, yellow, and blue—are associated with the five elements and the principle of yin and yang, embodying a unique aesthetic deeply rooted in history and culture. In art, both traditional and contemporary, color is not merely a formal concern: it acts as a vehicle for meaning, connecting works to a collective imagination, ancient symbolism, and a diversity of cultural interpretations.

The exhibition "Colors of Korea: Spotlight on Contemporary Korean Art," presented at the Korean Cultural Center to mark the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and Korea, fosters a dialogue between tradition and contemporary creation by bringing together works with similar formal characteristics. Through the creations of 34 artists—from established masters to emerging talents—covering a wide range of practices, from painting and sculpture to photography, installation, and digital art, the exhibition celebrates the colors of Korea and invites viewers to contemplate these works through the lens of enduring and timeless criteria, thus offering a fresh perspective on the challenges of our time and the prospects of tomorrow.

Among the major figures presented are LEE Ungno, KIM Tschang-Yeul, PARK Seo-Bo, HA Chong-Hyun, and many others, who have left their mark on art history through the power and singularity of their aesthetics. Alongside them, vibrant contemporary artists—such as Yeesookyung, KIM Yunchul, Anicka Yi, and Jin Meyerson—contribute to enriching the art scene with works of striking color.

At the crossroads of generations and mediums, the exhibition "Colors of Korea" invites us to perceive color as a universal language, capable of transmitting the memory of a culture while illuminating today's realities and the contours of our future.

For more information visit the Korean Cultural Heritage Centre website.

Tagged 14/04.