'Painter's Dream'... Supporting Independence of Disabled Artists through Corporate Collaboration
Gangnam-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Jo Seong-myeong) announced that it is promoting the Painter's Dream project to support the independence of artists with disabilities in collaboration with POSCO International Co., Ltd., POSCO Steelion Co., Ltd., the Korea Employment Security Association for the Disabled, and Napal Co., Ltd., and will exhibit 90 artworks at the Gangnam-gu Office and the Community Center from the 16th to the 9th of next month.
This exhibition is held to improve awareness of disabilities and support independence by producing and exhibiting works of artists with disabilities, whose artistic value is excellent but who face difficulties in market development, in frames equipped with Bluetooth speaker functions, and returning the proceeds to the artists.
Since 2021, this project has been conducted by POSCO International Co., Ltd., the Korea Employment Security Association for the Disabled, and Napal Co., Ltd., but this year it has been expanded through public-private cooperation via the 1st “Drawing the Future ESG, Together with Gangnam” contest promoted by Gangnam-gu. Gangnam-gu supports the budget, exhibition venues, and promotion.
The exhibited works are produced not on ordinary canvases but in steel frames equipped with Bluetooth speakers. These frames were supported by Napal Co., Ltd., which holds the relevant technology, and POSCO Steelion Co., Ltd. The exhibition theme, “Three Senses, One Art,” reflects the characteristics of these frames. It means that three senses?viewing the artwork (visual), listening to music through the Bluetooth speaker (auditory), and feeling the unique texture (tactile)?come together to form one art.
The exhibition features a total of 90 works by 30 painters. There are 30 original paintings directly created by the artists in specially made frames and 60 PosArt prints that preserve the texture of the works printed on POSCO’s steel plates. Thirty-two pieces are displayed in the corridor on the 2nd floor of the Gangnam-gu Office, and 58 pieces are exhibited in the promotional exhibition room of the Gangnam Community Center, where visitors can experience these speaker-equipped frames.
On the 18th at 10 a.m., a celebratory opening event will be held at the district office. All hosting organizations and participating painters will attend to commemorate the exhibition and appreciate the artworks. The Heart Heart Foundation’s orchestra ensemble team of people with developmental disabilities will perform a congratulatory concert to enhance the exhibition atmosphere. All artworks are available for purchase, and inquiries can be made at the exhibition’s promotional booth.
Jo Seong-myeong, Mayor of Gangnam-gu, stated, “We have actively collaborated with excellent companies practicing ESG management to provide a place where artists with disabilities can showcase their beautiful works and communicate with the world. We will continue to actively promote public-private cooperation and discover unique ESG business models exclusive to Gangnam-gu.”
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