Global Art Magazine ArtNews, "Munshin 100th Anniversary Special Exhibition, This Year's Representative Exhibition"

Assemblyman Choi Hyung-doo: "Tattoo teachers are truly
the pride of Korea and the region, as well as the future"

Article about the 100th Anniversary Tattoo Exhibition featured in ART NEWS. [Screenshot from ART NEWS homepage]

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters reporters Song Jong-gu and Kim Wook] The world-renowned art exhibition magazine ArtNews has selected the ‘Moon Shin 100th Anniversary Special Exhibition,’ held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) Deoksugung from September 21 for one year, as the most noteworthy exhibition in the world this year.

In its special feature article ‘The Defining Exhibitions of 2022,’ ArtNews ranked the MMCA special exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of Moon Shin’s birth as the 12th most significant. ArtNews selected 25 exhibitions planned by museums worldwide, including New York’s MoMA, as this year’s top exhibitions.

ArtNews praised Moon Shin as “the woefully underknown artist” and described the special exhibition commemorating his 100th birthday as “a knockout, highlighting just what a tour-de-force Moon was,” noting his progression “charting his beginning in painting to his shift to sculpture and later monumental installations and architecture.”

Moon Shin, born in Masan, was a sculptor recognized by the French government in 1992 as one of the world’s three great masters alongside Britain’s Henry Moore and America’s Alexander Calder.

During the final period of his activities in France, when collectors tried to purchase his masterpieces, Moon Shin refused, saying, “I will build a museum in my hometown Masan to exhibit them. If I sell these good works now, there will be nothing left to display in my museum,” showing his deep love for Masan.

Although he could have gained great wealth and fame in Europe had he naturalized as the French government suggested, Moon Shin returned to the hillside of Chusan-dong in Masanhappo-gu, his hometown, to continue his artistic spirit. This was because he believed that the provinces, especially his hometown, were the true source of art.

On the tombstone of the master, who ended his intense 72-year life in 1995, is inscribed his motto: “Work like a slave, live with the common people, create like a god.”

Choi Seong-sook, honorary director of the Moon Shin Art Museum and a family member of Moon Shin, said, “This is a great celebration for K-Art that will rejoice together with the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art,” and expressed gratitude to Director Yoon Beom-mo, the MMCA curatorial team, and Changwon Special City for their support of the exhibition.

Assemblyman Choi Hyung-doo stated, “Our city Masanhappo planned the Moon Shin 100th anniversary events, including the Masan Moon Shin Art Museum and Masan Changdong Art Village commemorations, and the MMCA Deoksugung special exhibition (until early next year). I also co-hosted a special exhibition at the National Assembly because Moon Shin is the pride and future of both South Korea and our regional city.”

He added, “Although the 100th anniversary ends next year, now it is time for the citizens of Masanhappo, the city of Moon Shin, one of the world’s three great masters, to show that the true strength of Korean culture, arts, and fine arts lies in the regions, especially Masanhappo.”

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