Gokseong-gun Gallery 107, Changing the Scenery of a Small Rural Village

[Gokseong=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Chunsu] “Why did Injasar come about? When it wasn’t here, I didn’t realize it was necessary, but now that it’s here, it feels like the town’s atmosphere has changed.”

Gallery 107 in Gokseong-gun is transforming the scenery of a small rural village.

A, who runs a small shop in Gokseong-eup, is a regular visitor to Gallery 107.

On days when the exhibition changes, A visits during lunch breaks or whenever possible to enjoy some leisure time. Although the meaning behind the works is somewhat ambiguous, looking at the colors, lines, and forms of each piece makes A feel as if they have entered another world for a moment.

Local resident C majored in art. However, due to life’s demands, C only painted as a hobby in spare moments and had never held a solo exhibition.

Then, with the opening of Gallery 107, C held a solo exhibition for the first time in their life. While it was a bit embarrassing to present works they had painted alone to the world, the excitement made C feel like returning to the days as a passionate art student. People around C gave wholehearted applause for the hidden talent.

During the 7th term of the civilian government, Gokseong-gun set a goal to fully restore everyday life. The idea was that even in rural areas, people should be able to enjoy an elevated life including culture and education. Gallery 107 and the two container galleries are the starting points of this vision.

They aim not only to satisfy the desires of local cultural consumers and creators but also to enhance the region’s receptivity and creativity through art, thereby developing its potential as a city.

At first, residents were skeptical. They wondered how much demand for art and culture could exist in a small rural town with a population under 30,000. However, Gallery 107 naturally blended into the daily lives of the residents and, about eight months after its official opening in May last year, established itself as a representative cultural facility of the region.

So far, Gallery 107 has met residents and tourists with a variety of works ranging from planned exhibitions by famous external artists to exhibitions by local artists. This year’s exhibition schedule is already fully booked.

After the current lacquer craft exhibition by artists Kang Leo and Oh Jeonghun ends, the Gokseong Artists’ Founding Exhibition is planned. Following that, exhibitions will be held two to three times every month without pause.

Encouraged by its popularity, Gokseong-gun has decided to create two more container galleries this year. Container galleries are facilities where artworks can be displayed on the streets; Gokseong-gun established two such galleries in the town last year along with Gallery 107.

As these cultural facilities gradually expand, it is expected that the attractiveness of the urban area will increase, leading to an influx of tourists.

Plans are also underway to link art with local education. From July to August this year, the ‘Gallery 107 SUMMER ART Challenge’ will be held. The main content involves students and the general public creating and exhibiting art over 14 days each.

Students will learn painting and relief techniques from famous artists, while general participants will create house nameplates or landscapes together with local artists.

A gallery official said, “Culture has the power to change lives. Through Gallery 107, we will continue to present better exhibitions and programs so that the lives of residents can become even a little richer.”