Entitled “Into the People and Into Harmony,” the exhibition showcases 60 artworks on the second floor of Chunchugwan from Aug. 31 to Sep. 19

It presents artist KIM Hyun Woo’s work, currently on display at the presidential office and noted by U.S. President Biden, and the work of artist JUNG Eun Hye, who played “Young Hee” on the K drama Our Blues. 

The Blue House Multi-Purpose Culture & Art Space Project kicks off with a special exhibition by the artists with disabilities. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister PARK Bo Gyoon, MCST) unveiled Blue House’s first exhibition on the second floor of Chunchugwan on August 31 (Wed). The exhibition, held under the title “Into the People and Into Harmony” in partnership with the Federation of Disability Culture & Arts Associations of Korea, will present a total of 60 artworks by artists with disabilities until September 19 (Mon). 

Into the Story of 50 Disabled Artists: Stunning Works of Art Imbued with Their Lives and Souls

This exhibition sheds light on 50 artists with developmental and physical disabilities, including hearing impairment, who have pursued art careers despite their disabilities. For this show, 59 artworks have been selected through an open competition in the areas of Western paintings, Korean paintings, literary paintings, calligraphy, and crafts. In addition, artist KIM Hyun Woo’s Percy Jackson: Mathematical Drawing, which is currently on display at the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, and drew the attention of U.S. President Joe Biden during his state visit to Korea last May, will be moved to Chunchugwan temporarily for the exhibition. This diverse selection of artworks includes a work by artist JUNG Eun Hye, who gained recognition for her recent acting performance on the K-drama Our Blues. The artwork is themed on Young Hee (the character she played) and Young Ok (the character played by actress Han Ji Min), the two well-known main characters of the show. 

Also of note at the exhibition are the works of its oldest and youngest participating artists. The former is BANG Doo Young, aged 75 (born in 1947). Artist BANG lost his hearing (hearing impairment grade 2) after he suffered otitis media when he was in the 5^th grade of elementary school. He has dedicated his entire life to painting as a way of expressing his difficulties in communicating with the outside world. His work Anxious City – Where We are Heading depicts the birth of all living beings who deserve a happy life but live in the anxiety of not knowing where they are heading in today’s mega city. The youngest artist JUNG Sung Won, aged 21 (born in 2001). Born with an intellectual disability. Artist JUNG began to draw foxes from an early age and gained fame for her fox paintings. She says of her paintings, “A fox is who I am and my friends.” During the show, she presents her work entitled Poolside Party, which features a fox. Another notable participant is embroidery artist LEE Jung Hee, who has recently been designated as an intangible culture asset by Jeollabuk-do Province. Commenting on her participation, she stated, “It is a true pleasure and honor to join this special exhibition with the works of art by disabled artists because it is the first event presented by Blue House as a multi-purpose culture and arts space.”

This event has been made possible due to President YOON’s strong commitment to create more exhibition space and opportunities for artists with disabilities and their aspirations for public presence. MCST Minister PARK stressed the meaning of the show by saying, “This is the first event celebrating the rebirth of Blue House as Korea’s leading and attractive multi-purpose culture and art space. Through this exhibition, we will share the invaluable moments of sharing, communication, and integration between the disabled and non-disabled in the area of arts.” The exhibition venue, Chunchugwan, was used mainly for press briefings after its completion in 1990.This exhibition marks its reincarnation as a public venue where more people can visit and enjoy culture. By using wall panels, the exhibition hall has created spaces to display the artworks, while leaving the interior and exterior of Chunchugwan intact.   

Greater Accessibility for All with Accessibility Features Customized for Different Types of Disabilities

The host and organizer of this exhibition have taken extra care to ensure greater accessibility so that it can promote fair access to culture for all and offer a barrier-free environment where disabled and non-disabled viewers come together to enjoy the event. To this end, it adopts various accessibility features and services. Braille catalogues and guides and a pre-recorded docent tour are offered for visitors with visual impairments, while a tour with sign language interpretation service is available for those with hearing impairments. Braille catalogues, in particular, provide not only information on the artworks but also tactile graphics with raised lines that can be touched with the fingertips. Furthermore, wheelchair-friendly access routes are available for physically handicapped visitors. The exhibition will be presented in the form of “relaxed performance” to ensure an inviting environment for those with developmental disabilities. A relaxed performance refers to a performance adapted especially for those with autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, or any other form of disabilities who benefit from a cozy and relaxing environment. It ensures an inclusive viewing environment that allows for free entrance and exit by those with physical disabilities and sensory responses, including actions and sounds, by those with developmental and other disabilities. All visitors will be informed about these assistive features before their entry into the exhibition.

During the exhibition, guided docent tours will be provided twice a day at 11:00 and 15:00, and six “Meet the Artist” sessions will be held on the weekends. Furthermore, photo zones and various on-site events, including a lucky draw, will be offered within the exhibition hall to make the event all the more special and engaging.

August 31 Opening Ceremony: Gathering Venue for Disabled Artists and Athletes from Various Areas, Including Classical Music, Webtoons, and Sports

The Opening Ceremony of the exhibition, held on August 31 (Wed), brought together various disabled artists and athletes who truly excel in their area of specialty, spreading the meaning of “harmony.” They include visually impaired clarinetist LEE Sang Jae, a professor at Korea Nazarene University; KIM Young Geon, a silver medalist in the men's table tennis team event at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games; and webtoon creator KIM Min Soo, a student from the Disabled Webtoon Academy. In addition, the event was joined by ten representatives from organizations of persons with disabilities in the areas of art and culture, including President BANG Gui Hee of Korea Disabled Artist Association and President CHOI Gong Yeol of the International Association of Culture Exchange for the Disabled. Artist JUNG Eun Hye also delivered a video message of congratulations. The ceremony also featured congratulatory performances, including a calligraphy performance by disabled female calligrapher LEE Eun Hee as well as a chamber music quintet performance by the members of disabled classical music group Art Story[1] and members of the Seoul Orchestra. Furthermore, Artistic Director KANG Sue Jin of the Korean National Ballet, Chairperson YOO Dong Geun of the Korea Federation of Broadcasting Artists’ Organizations, and President LEE Ja Yeon of Korea Singers Association participated in the ceremony, showcasing harmony that transcends the barriers of disability and non-disability in the fields of arts. National Assembly Members KIM Seung Soo (People Power Party, President of the 2022 Disability Culture & Arts Festival), KIM Ye-Ji, LEE Jong Seong, and LEE Yong-Ho also participated in the event.

As part of the 2022 Disability Culture & Arts “A+ Festival” hosted and organized by the Federation of Disability Culture & Arts Associations of Korea, this Blue House Chunchugwan Special Exhibition will run for three weeks from August 31 (Wed) through September 19 (Mon) and will be closed every Tuesday. The exhibition will be open free of charge and no reservation is required for any visitor starting from August 31. Further guidance and prior reservation service for those with disabilities will be available at 070-7668-1690.

Attachments:

I.                   Key Participating Artists and Their Works

II.                Barrier-Free Accessibility Features

III.             “Meet the Artist”: Program Details

IV.             “Into the People and Into Harmony”: Overview and Poster