TUCSON, ARIZ.- The Center for Creative Photography at the University of Arizona is co-present Wonders and Witness: Contemporary Photography from Korea with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA), curated by MMCA, from Nov. 18, 2023, through Jan. 27, 2024 in the Center Galleries.
Wonders and Witness: Contemporary Photography from Korea presents more than 80 works of 12 Korean photographers, including Bang Byoungsang, Chung Chuha, Gwon Doyeon, Kim Mi-Hyun, Kim Oksun, Kim Seunggu, Kim Taedong, Nikki S. Lee, Lee Sunmin, Oh Heinkuhn, Area Park, and Yoon JeongMee.
Step into the changing world of contemporary Korean society, where tradition meets rapid modernization and Western influence. Wonders and Witness: Contemporary Photography from Korea is an exhibition that invites you to explore through photography the diverse facets of Korean life — its modern desires, anxieties, frustrations, and mysteries. It delves into pressing social issues today, such as urbanization, the intricacies of family dynamics, the search for identity, and the enduring hope for a brighter future. The photographs in Wonders and Witness act as more than just witnesses to societal conditions in Korea today; they are artistic commentaries that offer an enlightening interpretation and inspire a sense of wonder in one’s everyday life.
Todd J. Tubutis, CCP Director, said, “I’m honored and privileged to express gratitude and appreciation to our colleagues at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea for organizing Wonders and Witness. Hosting this thoughtful exhibition here at CCP in close collaboration with the School of Art has offered a remarkable opportunity to enhance experiences with photography with international collaboration and exchange… Namin’s profound consideration and thoughtful presentation of photographic works from Korea has produced this incredible exhibition.”
“I am delighted to be here today to welcome you and to celebrate the opening of Wonders and Witness: Contemporary Photography from Korea, a collaborative effort from MMCA and CCP," said Dr. Kim Sunghee, MMCA Director. “The exhibition Wonders and Witness marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to showcase the remarkable achievements in Korean art. I hope the exhibition will guide you in this brilliant photography world of Korea…We truly hope this project will be of interest to a wide spectrum of audiences. Including scholars, students, and residents here.”
Curator Kim Namin said, “The exhibition Wonders and Witness is curated to offer and share an interesting path to Korean photography to a wider audience. Focusing on the works since the 1990s, which are pivotal times in Korea, the MMCA collective artists exhibition comprises works that inquire into and reflect various issues that affect Korean society and individual lives- such as urbanization, family matters, and identity in the social, cultural and economic changes in Korea which is so dynamic. And these photographs will offer intriguing clues as to what constitutes modernity in Korea. And hopefully, touch upon the aspects of conditions of contemporary life that will resonate with the audience here.”
Dr. Kim Jeehey, Faculty, School of Art, University of Arizona, said, “I joined the program in 2019, just a semester after the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. This led me to a virtual endeavor to host a symposia series on Asian photography, starting with South Korean photography. This led finally to this journey to introduce a selection of Korean photographers whose work is from South Korea. I hope you enjoy this exhibition, which runs until the end of January next year. And I believe the University, Tucson, and Phoenix community would be delighted to experience the Korean photography works and practices here at the Center for Creative Photography.”
Wonders and Witness: Contemporary Photography from Korea presents more than 80 works by 12 Korean photographers, including Bang Byoungsang, Chung Chuha, Gwon Doyeon, Kim Mi-Hyun, Kim Oksun, Kim Seunggu, Kim Taedong, Nikki S. Lee, Lee Sunmin, Oh Heinkuhn, Area Park, and Yoon JeongMee. The opening of Wonders and Witness coincided with the 2023 International Symposium on Korean Photography, co-organized by CCP and MMCA in collaboration with the University of Arizona School of Art.
