The Philadelphia Museum of Art presents “The Shape of Time: Korean Art after 1989,” featuring 28 Korean artists whose works capture the period of profound change in Korea. The exhibition delves into South Korea’s urbanization, industrialization, and the enduring political tensions with North Korea. Born between 1960 and 1986, these artists represent a generation that experienced South Korea’s authoritarian rule.
The diverse exhibit encompasses ceramics, painting, fiber, photography, lacquer, installation, metalwork, mixed media, embroidery, video, and performance art. Themes explored include conformity, displacement, gender, coexistence, and dissonance, all while connecting to South Korea’s rich history.
Notably, artist Kyungah Ham’s “What you see is the unseen/Chandeliers for Five Cities” includes a chandelier partially hand-stitched by artisans in North Korea, smuggled into the country. This exhibit serves as a platform for emerging voices in the global art narrative, fostering inclusivity and cultural exchange.
“The Shape of Time” marks the museum’s first major display of contemporary Korean art in the U.S. since 2009 and runs from October 21, 2023, to February 11, 2024.