Youth Art Star Discovery 'Jeonnam Art Fair ART 061' to be Held

According to Jeollanam-do on the 25th, the 'Jeonnam Art Fair ART 061' will be held in Jeonnam, the birthplace and sanctuary of so-called K-culture, including music, traditional Korean music (gugak), literature, and fine arts, which are gaining attention on the global stage.

Hosted and organized by Jeonnam Province and the Jeonnam Cultural Foundation, and jointly sponsored by Jeonnam Development Corporation, Gwangju Bank, Yeosu Gwangyang Port Corporation, and Yeosu City, this fair will open from the 27th to the 29th at the Yeosu Expo Convention Center. The opening ceremony will be held on the 27th at 6 p.m. in the Expo Hall of the Expo Convention Center.

As part of the Jeonnam cultural and artistic brand development project, this fair is expected to be an event that discovers Jeonnam's rich cultural and artistic resources and helps local young artists advance into the metropolitan area and further into the world. The '061' in ART 061 symbolizes Jeonnam’s regional telephone area code and embodies the ambition to expand as a brand in the future.

In particular, this fair is the first event launched to discover local young stars, providing a time to communicate and empathize with visitors through various genres and captivating content.

The main events are well organized, including ▲visual and performance cultural arts content booths ▲ART 061 Rising Star Audition ▲Jeonnam Cultural Arts Brand Research and Development (R&D) Talk Show ▲ART 061 Art Auction Show.

The cultural arts content booths feature participation from eight entertainment companies such as Kakao and CUBE, along with three local performance groups. Works by nine Jeonnam artists, including Ko Cha-bun and Han Im-su, will be exhibited at local galleries. Additionally, over 130 pieces, including works by Lee Ufan and Kim Chang-wan, will be on display, and visitors can purchase desired artworks.

The ART 061 Rising Star Audition is a platform for young artists aged 16 to 30 from the Jeonnam region to showcase their dreams and passion. Five judges, including Cheetah, Bae Yoon-jung, and Seong Seureon, will conduct auditions for 15 pre-selected teams. The preliminary round of the Rising Star Audition was held from the 6th to the 20th, with 56 teams applying.

The Jeonnam Cultural Arts Brand Technology Development Talk Show will feature presentations by Lee Yun-seon, a cultural heritage expert from Jeonnam Province, and Professor Lee Kyung-yeop of Mokpo National University, under the theme "Namdo Artist Park Dong-sil and the Search for Jeonnam’s Cultural Arts Brand," along with a performance by Jeong Soon-im, a master singer (holder of National Intangible Cultural Property No. 5). Additionally, a lecture on "Trends and Challenges in the Art Market" will be held by the CEO of A Auction and the CEO of Tablo Gallery, followed by a talk show with celebrity Hong Seok-cheon.

The ART 061 Art Auction Show will auction 23 works by Jeonnam artists discovered by the foundation and Seoul Auction. The event is open to everyone, and detailed information can be found on the foundation’s website.

Kim Eun-young, CEO of the Jeonnam Cultural Foundation, said, "Jeonnam Art Fair ART 061 serves as a platform for selling and distributing Jeonnam’s performing and visual arts, and the actual movement of cultural arts content will greatly benefit the local cultural arts ecosystem and artists." She added, "We ask for the interest and participation of Jeonnam artists and residents."