Leeum Museum of Art Selects Cha Jaemin for 'Art Spectrum Artist Award'

Dealing with the Impact of Social Structure, System, and Historical Contradictions on Individuals

The Leeum Museum of Art announced on the 25th that artist Cha Jaemin (36) has been selected as the third recipient of the 'Art Spectrum Artist Award,' which discovers young and promising artists. The photo shows artist Cha Jaemin standing in front of his work. Photo by Leeum Museum of Art

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The Leeum Museum of Art announced on the 25th that it has selected artist Cha Jaemin (36) as the third recipient of the ‘Art Spectrum Artist Award,’ which discovers young and promising artists.

Cha Jaemin has been creating original videos reflecting on the impact of structural, systematic, and historical contradictions in society on individuals. He has gained attention by expressing various issues in Korean society in his own unique language.

At the ‘Art Spectrum 2022’ exhibition, Cha Jaemin presented two new works, ‘Nameless Syndrome’ and ‘Stagnant Flight.’ ‘Nameless Syndrome’ deals with human problems neglected by the exclusive expertise of medicine through young women suffering from unnamed diseases. ‘Stagnant Flight’ showcases playful yet serious commotion among youths who read books aloud, DJ, and imitate sounds in a secondhand bookstore stacked with books up to the ceiling.

The judges commented, "Cha Jaemin has conducted work that makes us aware of societal issues by carefully observing the problems experienced by individuals with a documentary perspective, emphasizing the emotions of those involved."

Cha Jaemin_Nameless Syndrome_2022. Photo by Leeum Museum of Art

They added, “The narrative structure, calmly woven based on facts, allows us to confront the distorted points of the solid social system, even if art cannot reform society. This expands the field of perception so that those points can serve as a new starting point, which is particularly meaningful.” The judging panel included Kim Sungwon, Deputy Director of the Leeum Museum of Art, Ki Hyekyung, Director of the Busan Museum of Art, and Yoo Jinsang, Professor at Kaywon University of Art and Design.

Artist Cha said, “Starting from my mother’s experience of suffering from a difficult-to-diagnose illness, I met other women in pain and was able to move into a broader narrative,” adding, “I will take this award as a responsibility to advance my work further.”

The ‘Art Spectrum Artist Award’ selects one artist from those participating in the ‘Art Spectrum’ exhibition to support their activities. The first award in 2014 went to artist Lee Wan, and the second in 2016 to artist Park Kyunggeun. This is the first selection in six years. The exhibition runs until July 3 at the Leeum Museum of Art’s Children’s Education and Culture Center Ground Gallery.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.