Local Voices: South Korean Imagescape(s)

Introducing contemporary South Korean photography

"Local Voices" is the digital media platform that narrates the creative horizon of image culture, country by country: showcasing the photographers, institutions, and independent players shaping the contemporary imagescape(s). Today, we will introduce South Korean artists and the contemporary photographic scene. This article is an exercise in co-writing, aimed at creating an ever-growing digital archive on the world of contemporary photography and visual culture, highlighting the makers and key players in specific areas.

The evolution of photography in Korea is deeply intertwined with the nation’s socio-political transformations, reflecting shifts from colonial documentation to contemporary conceptual practice. Initially introduced in the late 19th century through foreign diplomats, photography was primarily used as a tool of record-keeping. During the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945), it became both an instrument of control and a medium for resistance, capturing the lived experiences of a changing society.

The late 20th century marked a turning point, as photography moved beyond reportage and into conceptual and artistic realms. Influenced by global contemporary movements, Korean photographers began experimenting with materiality, identity, and memory, placing their work within broader discourses on history, culture, and technology.

Today, South Korea’s photography scene is dynamic and internationally recognized, especially in Seoul, with major institutions like the Goeun Museum of Photography , Seoul Museum of Art , and Museum Hanmi fostering critical engagement with the medium and independent galleries such as N/A , Ilwoo Space , Shower and The Reference supporting emerging voices.

Seokwoo Song explores social interactions and behaviors through performance and body language in his art. His ongoing project, "No Dress Code", examines environments without specific attire regulations, delving into how clothing choices influence individual identity and societal perceptions. By capturing subjects in diverse settings, Song highlights the interplay between personal expression and social norms, prompting viewers to reflect on the role of attire in daily life.

Vak Dongkyun’s practice revolves around the human body, abstraction, and the interplay of light and texture. His work often explores themes of transformation, sensuality, and the distortion of perception, using photography as a medium to challenge the boundaries between reality and illusion. In his project “Heatwave,” Vak delves into the physical and emotional effects of extreme heat, capturing bodies in states of tension, fluidity, and dissolution. The series employs visual distortions, reflections, and a rich interplay of shadows and highlights to create an almost dreamlike, surreal atmosphere. By emphasizing the tactile sensations of heat – sweat, skin, and movement – “Heatwave” evokes both discomfort and desire, positioning the human body as a site of metamorphosis.

Hyunmin Ryu is part of the Guest Room curated by Ruben Lundgren & Yining He. He’s a contemporary artist and photographer engaging in a multifaceted artistic practice that spans photography, video, and installation art. His work often delves into conceptual themes, exploring the limitations and imperfections inherent in the photographic medium. A significant aspect of Ryu's recent work is his ongoing project "Kim Sae-Hyun," named after his nephew, which began in 2020. This series captures staged, humorous, and sometimes absurd scenes that reflect their close relationship and Ryu's introspection on his own childhood.

Sunik Kim work focuses on capturing overlooked elements of urban environments, transforming everyday scenes into compelling visual narratives. He isolates moments of stillness in everyday urban settings, emphasizing textures, spatial relationships, and traces of human presence. His images invite contemplation, revealing the quiet poetry of ordinary spaces and questioning the way we perceive our surroundings. His photography is a chronicle of the everyday.

Hong Jiyoung “Women Wandering Around the Ruins” extends the artist’s ongoing exploration of confronting the lingering traces of violence imprinted on her body, mediated through the camera’s lens. Through spatial narratives, the work gives form to traumatic memories – bodily sensations and emotions that resist articulation. The artist meticulously examines the scars and remnants in motels and abandoned buildings across South Korea, places where erasure was incomplete.