Chong Kun Dang Selects Artists for 'Yesuljisang 2023'... Supporting Emerging Artists' Creative Work

On the 6th, Chong Kun Dang Holdings held the 'Chong Kun Dang Art Award 2023 Artist of the Year Certificate Ceremony' at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul, and announced on the 7th that they had selected three artists?Kuk Dong-wan, Park Mi-ra, and Han Ji-hyung?as this year’s artists of the year.

Participants are taking a commemorative photo at the Certificate Award Ceremony for Artist of the Year at Chong Kun Dang Arts Support 2023. From the left: Lee Chung-kwan, Secretary General of the Korea Mecenat Association; artist Han Ji-hyung; artist Park Mi-ra; artist Guk Dong-wan; Kim Tae-young, CEO of Chong Kun Dang Holdings; Kim No-am, CEO of Art Space Hue. Photo by Chong Kun Dang.

The 'Chong Kun Dang Art Award' was established following the proposal of Chairman Lee Jang-han of Chong Kun Dang to create an environment where emerging artists with growth potential can fully demonstrate their capabilities. Together with the Korea Mecenat Association and the alternative space 'Art Space Hue,' the award has supported a total of 36 artists since 2012 as part of a partnership project called 'Meeting of Business and Art.'

The Chong Kun Dang Art Award selected three artists through two rounds of confidential judging by a panel of art experts. The selection criteria focus on painters under the age of 45 who are emerging artists. Each selected artist receives an annual creative grant of 10 million KRW for three years, and in the final year of support, they are given the opportunity to hold a solo exhibition.

Artist Kuk Dong-wan was highly praised for exploring all possibilities that two-dimensional painting can pursue, Park Mi-ra was recognized for seriously building her own artistic world through unique compositions and expressive methods, and Han Ji-hyung was noted for interpreting amorphous images created within geometric compositions and abstract spaces in her own distinctive style.

Artist Kuk said, "The Chong Kun Dang Art Award is a precious opportunity for artists to fully demonstrate their capabilities," adding, "I will devote myself even more to creative activities and present a more mature artistic world."

Kim Tae-young, CEO of Chong Kun Dang Holdings, said, "We expect that the artists selected this year will focus on their work and make greater contributions to the Korean art world in the future," and added, "We will plan continuous and practical support programs such as exchange programs among artists and exhibitions so that the Chong Kun Dang Art Award can serve as a bridge connecting emerging artists and the cultural and arts community."

Meanwhile, from September 21 to October 2, the '10th Chong Kun Dang Art Award Exhibition' will be held at the Sejong Center Art Museum. This exhibition will showcase works created over three years by three artists selected in 2021: Lee Jae-hoon, Lee Hae-minseon, and Jung Jik-sung.