Under the slogan “Daegu and the World,” the Daegu Art Museum (DAM) aims to expand its global reach based on Daegu’s locality through nine exhibitions this year. As an art museum in an area that occupies an important position in the Korean modern and contemporary art world, the DAM, established in 2011, has been researching the history of its local art scene and connecting it to the global contemporary art world. This year, the museum intends to exhibit a number of works by established artists who have contributed significantly to the development of Korean contemporary art.
Water, Fire, Body, the first exhibition of 2023 and part of the Daegu Forum series, will be held from January 31 to May 14, 2023. The Daegu Forum series was first established in 2021 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the museum’s opening and carry on the experimental spirit of the Daegu Contemporary Art Festival (1974–1979). The series intends to examine major trends and issues in the contemporary art world and present the future direction of the museum through curated themed shows. 

The Daegu Forum’s second series, Water, Fire, Body, features the works of three artists: Kim Taek-Sang (b. 1958), who depicts light and color in his paintings; Yoon-Hee (b. 1950), who uses various materials in her sculptures; and Hwang Ho-Sup (b. 1955), who creates abstract paintings that resemble stardust. Around sixty paintings, installations, and sculptures by the three artists will explore the underlying value and ideology of Korean art.

A solo exhibition by the artist Kim Youngjin (b. 1946) will be held at the DAM from May 30 to September 10, 2023, as part of the 2023 DArtist series. The DArtist series aims to investigate local artists in the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region who have maintained experimental and innovative artistic practices. Each year, the program selects one artist to hold a solo exhibition and research event and collects the artist’s archival materials. Kim Youngjin was one of the first artists to introduce video and installation art to the Daegu-Gyeongbuk region in the 1970s, making a significant contribution to local art history.
Artist Yun Suknam won the 2022 LEEINSUNG Art Prize, which was established in 2002 to honor the Daegu painter Lee In-sung (1912–1950). As part of the prize, Yun’s solo exhibition will be held from September 26 to December 31, 2023, at the DAM. Born in 1939, Yun is one of the first feminist artists to work with various genres, such as painting, installation, and sculpture.

Other exhibitions include a collection exhibition that will be held from June 20 to August 20, 2023, an exhibition featuring the Lee Kun-hee collection, a young artist exhibition, a participatory exhibition, and an October solo exhibition of American minimalist sculptor Carl Andre.  

References

• 대구미술관 (Daegu Art Museum, DAM)