It is amazing, sometimes, the way the right
opportunity just presents itself at the right point in time. When it does happen, I don’t think it
is necessarily just the result of good luck – the opportunities arise as a
result of lots of groundwork and effort to cultivate and build relationships
and networks. Whatever the reason,
the following day the Gertrude team and I had the opportunity to meet with one
of Korea’s most renowned and respected gallerists, Ms S.J.K. We met early on a Sunday morning at a
café near S.J.K’s home. S.J.K’s
assistant also attended the meeting and took notes throughout. They both then headed back to the
Gallery to work. Life moves at a relentless
pace in Seoul.
As we outlined our hopes and objectives
with regard to the collaborative project we had in mind there was an immediate
synergy with S.J.K. and she invited us to co-host the exhibition at her
gallery. We determined at that
point to abandon plans for the exhibition in the satellite city, and instead
develop the exhibition in partnership with S.J.K. and her team.
Private benefaction in Korea operates at an
entirely different level compared to Australia and may other Western countries.
Korean industry is dominated by a handful of chaebol (think Samsung, Hyundai,
Daewoo); large, conglomerate family-controlled firms that are characterized by
strong ties with government agencies. These family-run empires hold phenomenal art
collections, many housed within vast private galleries that are open to the
public year-round.
S.J.K. is a member of one such family. Her gallery in Seoul is renowned for
the quality and breadth of its temporary exhibition programming and
accompanying education and residency programs.
With S.J.K. we had found an ideal
exhibition partner and collaborator.
The foundation for the exhibition City
Within The City was established.
I think you got a great person, S.J.K
ReplyDeleteHope everything goes well with you!!
In addtion, I was at the opening of Through Your Eyes as well, I was working there as a intern.
It was very interesting work, as well, hosting Exhibition. the process for exhibition is almost the same as the process of concert. I am thinking wheather i organize a exhibition in sydney or not. My Rearch paper foces on Korean Art in Australia: Tradition, Modern and Contemporary. I am still doing. Your research paper sounds great!!
Congratulations! You are so right when you say that opportunities arise as a result of lots of groundwork and effort to cultivate and build relationships and networks. My favourite saying is "the harder you work, the luckier you get"! I'll be very interested to hear about this collaboration and the relentless pace of work in Seoul. Sometimes I think that might be nice... sometimes things seem to move so slowly in Au!!
ReplyDeleteIt is happy to meet with artist. I have many chance to meet Australian artists too in my internship. It is really good experience and learn a lot from them.
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