Exhibition Featuring 24 Artists with Developmental Disabilities Held in Daegu

Participation by Yang Hee-seong, Park Chan-heum, and others

Hosted by Happy Buk-gu Cultural Foundation

The Happiness Buk-gu Cultural Foundation (Chairman Bae Gwang-sik) will hold a special exhibition for Family Month titled “Stories and Paintings with Geurim Mom, Both Unique” featuring 24 artists with developmental disabilities at the Eoul Art Center Gallery Kumho from the 15th of this month to July 1st.

“Stories and Paintings with Geurim Mom, Both Unique” was organized to provide equal opportunities for creative activities through artistic barrier-free access for artists belonging to the special group of ‘developmental disabilities.’

The moment when the heart touches, by artist Yang Hee-seong, included in the exhibited works.

Creative Director Han Jemma, who has discovered artists with developmental disabilities and planned exhibitions both domestically and internationally for over 10 years, participated as the artistic director.

This exhibition features 24 artists with developmental disabilities from the Gyeongsang region, including Daegu, affiliated with the Naver Cafe ‘Geurim Mom’ operated by Director Han Jemma. The works span various fields such as painting, ceramics, media, webtoons, sculpture, and installation, attracting the attention of local residents and presenting an exhibition that anyone can enjoy without exclusion.

In line with the growing interest in inclusive art that removes cultural barriers between people with and without disabilities, this exhibition offers a chance to encounter the unique stories of artists with developmental disabilities through their artworks.

The participating regions cover the Yeongnam area, including Busan, Seongju, Ulsan, Masan, and Sacheon.

The Daegu area participating artists are Kim Su-gwang, Park Chan-heum, Yang Hee-seong, and Jeong Ji-won.

Artist Kim Su-gwang’s work “Hungry Crocodile” is part of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art’s Art Bank collection. Park Chan-heum won the grand prize at the 2022 Eco-friendly Art Contest and creates delicate pen drawings. Yang Hee-seong received a special selection award at the 2022 Korea Contemporary Art Exhibition and participated in an exhibition invited by the Blue House last year, engaging in diverse activities. Jeong Ji-won graduated from the Western Painting Department at Daegu Arts University and actively creates not only paintings but also ceramics.

Artistic Director Han Jemma said, “Artists with developmental disabilities observe their subjects in detail and draw them repeatedly. In this instinctive drawing process, originality emerges that cannot be seen through education alone. Repetition and obsession are actually tremendous assets from an art perspective. Those who immerse themselves in drawing all day demonstrate pure yet bold expressiveness based on an enormous volume of work, advancing into an experimental and free-spirited world.”

The exhibition is open to the public free of charge from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the period, with closures on public holidays and every Sunday. Group visits can also enjoy guided tours (docent services) and participate in linked programs.