The Space Between: The Modern in Korean Art

The Space Between is a comprehensive exploration of modern art in Korea, covering the period between the traditional and the contemporary. It features over 130 artworks and explores the impact of foreign influences, the response of Korean artists, the Pageantry of the New Woman Movement, the Modern Momentum, and the evolution into the Contemporary. Photography, sculpture, and oils were introduced during this period, while traditional ink painting reinvented itself. Abstract expressionist and informel styles dominated Korean art until the 1960s, setting the stage for contemporary art.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 14 August 2022
Publisher: Distributed Art Publishers

The Space Between: A Generative Period in Korean Art, published with the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, offers a comprehensive exploration of the period between the traditional and the contemporary in Korean art. This period, spanning from the late 19th century to the Korean War (1950-1953), was marked by significant events and challenges that shaped Korean art. The book is organized into five categories: "The Modern Encounter," "The Modern Response," "The Pageantry of the New Woman (Sinyeoseong) Movement," "The Modern Momentum," and "Evolving into the Contemporary."

During this period, foreign influences entered Korea in a significant way, particularly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Photography, sculpture, and oils were introduced via Japan and became integral to modern art in Korea. Traditional ink painting also reinvented itself, with works growing larger in scale while retaining traditional landscape motifs with alterations in color and composition. Artists of modern ink believed that theirs was the true future of modern art, unsullied by elements found in the West.

The magnified status of the US after the Korean War made way for access to American abstract art and, indirectly, European informel. For nearly a decade, abstract expressionist and informel styles dominated Korean art, with artists such as Park Soo-keun, Lee Jung-seob, and Kim Whanki leading the way.

The Space Between is a richly illustrated volume that features over 130 artworks, many of which have never been published before. It provides a valuable insight into the evolution of modern art in Korea and its response to the contemporary global context. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in Korean art and its historical significance.

Weight: 1678g
Dimension: 292 x 216 x 30 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636810584