BNK Busan Bank Holds Awards Ceremony for the 7th Young Artists Art Competition

Award Ceremony Held at BNK Busan Bank Gallery in Sinchang-dong, Busan on the Afternoon of the 2nd
Four Winners Selected Through Art Contest to Discover and Foster Young Artists

BNK Busan Bank (President Bang Seongbin) held the awards ceremony for the 7th BNK Young Artists Art Competition at the BNK Busan Bank Gallery in Sinchang-dong, Busan, on the afternoon of the 2nd.

On the 2nd, BNK Busan Bank held the awards ceremony for the 7th Youth Artist Art Competition.

The BNK Young Artists Art Competition, co-hosted by BNK Busan Bank and the BNK Financial Group Hope Sharing Foundation, has been held since 2013 to discover local young artists and support their creative activities, and this year marks its seventh edition.

This year's competition, held from July 15 to 30, attracted 252 young artists from various fields of plastic arts. A panel of five judges, including critics and professional artists, comprehensively evaluated the suitability, artistry, and potential for development of the works, selecting four winners.

The Grand Prize was awarded to artist Jang Geonyul (painting, born 1992). The Excellence Prize went to artist Kang Ikyeong (installation, born 1988), while the Merit Prizes were given to artists Kwon Guun (installation, born 1990) and Hwang Bohyun (painting, born 1992).

The total prize money amounts to 30 million KRW, with the Grand Prize winner receiving 20 million KRW and a residency program that allows them to live abroad and engage in exhibition activities for three months, supporting their creative endeavors. In addition, the winning works will be exhibited at the BNK Busan Bank Gallery for one week until October 8, and all local citizens can visit free of charge.

Kang Jonghun, Head of Group Management Strategy at BNK Financial Group, stated, "The number of young artists participating in this competition and the quality of their works have been increasing each year," and added, "We will continue to work together to create a platform where young artists can realize their dreams and hopes."

Busan Bank also hosts the 'Play on Busan' cultural performance every month, offering free classical music, jazz, theater, and other performances to provide Busan citizens with opportunities to enjoy culture and to support the development of local cultural organizations.