The Sisley Cultural Foundation has unveiled the Sisley for Young Creation Award Korea, marking a significant moment for emerging Korean artists. This award aims to recognize exceptional talents from the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts) while fostering global recognition for Korean contemporary art. The inaugural laureate is So Jin Kwak, a video artist celebrated for her innovative storytelling that merges performative video art with site-specific research and object-based performances.
The winner was selected after rigorous deliberations by a distinguished panel of 10 judges, including Christine d’Ornano, Global Vice President of Sisley; Hong Byeong Ui, President of Sisley Korea; Lim Min Wook, professor at K-Arts School of Visual Arts; and Nicolas Bourriaud, a leading art theorist and curator. The panel also featured industry leaders from the Samsung Foundation of Culture, Kukje Gallery, and prominent art publications, highlighting the award’s credibility and ambition.
The exhibition book for the artist's solo show, ????????-????????-????????????-????????????????-????????-????????????????????????????????-????????????????????????-????????????'????-????????????????, Courtesy of the artist's instagram
Born in 1993, So Jin Kwak graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Film from K-Arts and later completed her master’s degree in multimedia art. Since 2020, she has produced deeply investigative and performative works that navigate cultural histories, communal memory, and spatial storytelling. A signature project, the Madangguk Project, explores the history of diaspora communities through traditional Korean theatrical forms. Collaborating with Korean and Japanese artists in Kyoto’s Higashikujo district, Kwak has revived the communal storytelling tradition of madangguk while addressing issues of migration and shared cultural identity.
The Madangguk Project is emblematic of Kwak’s broader artistic vision: an effort to reclaim overlooked histories through interdisciplinary approaches that connect performance, video, and object-based installations. Her works transcend mere aesthetics, offering pointed critiques on displacement, collective memory, and identity. By engaging with specific sites and local narratives, Kwak’s art serves as both a cultural archive and a platform for dialogue.
The Sisley Foundation’s decision to honor Kwak underscores the global art world’s growing interest in Korean contemporary art. With its rich heritage and innovative artists, Korea is increasingly regarded as a cultural powerhouse. Sisley’s award signifies not just recognition but an investment in elevating these narratives to an international stage.
The exhibition book for the artist's solo show, ????????-????????-????????????-????????????????-????????-????????????????????????????????-????????????????????????-????????????'????-????????????????, Courtesy of the artist's instagram
Christine d’Ornano expressed the foundation’s long-term vision: “Through this award, Sisley seeks to uncover exceptional talents and amplify their voices internationally. We are committed to fostering cultural exchanges and helping Korean artists gain the recognition they deserve globally.”
The Sisley for Young Creation Award Korea also reflects the evolving dynamics of the art world, where support for emerging talents is recognized as crucial to fostering innovation. The initiative is a testament to Sisley’s dedication to bridging cultural divides and creating opportunities for artists to experiment and thrive in global contexts.
This award also complements the Korean government’s broader initiatives to promote the nation’s soft power through art and culture. As Korean contemporary art gains traction globally, programs like this are essential in sustaining its momentum, providing young artists with the resources and visibility to make their mark.
For So Jin Kwak, this recognition is both a milestone and a stepping stone. As she continues to expand her artistic endeavors, the platform provided by Sisley will enable her to engage with new audiences, enrich her practice, and further contribute to the discourse of contemporary art.
Sayart / Nao Yim, yimnao@naver.com
Courtesy of the artist's instagram
The Sisley Cultural Foundation has unveiled the Sisley for Young Creation Award Korea, marking a significant moment for emerging Korean artists. This award aims to recognize exceptional talents from the Korea National University of Arts (K-Arts) while fostering global recognition for Korean contemporary art. The inaugural laureate is So Jin Kwak, a video artist celebrated for her innovative storytelling that merges performative video art with site-specific research and object-based performances.
The winner was selected after rigorous deliberations by a distinguished panel of 10 judges, including Christine d’Ornano, Global Vice President of Sisley; Hong Byeong Ui, President of Sisley Korea; Lim Min Wook, professor at K-Arts School of Visual Arts; and Nicolas Bourriaud, a leading art theorist and curator. The panel also featured industry leaders from the Samsung Foundation of Culture, Kukje Gallery, and prominent art publications, highlighting the award’s credibility and ambition.
The exhibition book for the artist's solo show, ????????-????????-????????????-????????????????-????????-????????????????????????????????-????????????????????????-????????????'????-????????????????, Courtesy of the artist's instagram
Born in 1993, So Jin Kwak graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Film from K-Arts and later completed her master’s degree in multimedia art. Since 2020, she has produced deeply investigative and performative works that navigate cultural histories, communal memory, and spatial storytelling. A signature project, the Madangguk Project, explores the history of diaspora communities through traditional Korean theatrical forms. Collaborating with Korean and Japanese artists in Kyoto’s Higashikujo district, Kwak has revived the communal storytelling tradition of madangguk while addressing issues of migration and shared cultural identity.
The Madangguk Project is emblematic of Kwak’s broader artistic vision: an effort to reclaim overlooked histories through interdisciplinary approaches that connect performance, video, and object-based installations. Her works transcend mere aesthetics, offering pointed critiques on displacement, collective memory, and identity. By engaging with specific sites and local narratives, Kwak’s art serves as both a cultural archive and a platform for dialogue.
The Sisley Foundation’s decision to honor Kwak underscores the global art world’s growing interest in Korean contemporary art. With its rich heritage and innovative artists, Korea is increasingly regarded as a cultural powerhouse. Sisley’s award signifies not just recognition but an investment in elevating these narratives to an international stage.
The exhibition book for the artist's solo show, ????????-????????-????????????-????????????????-????????-????????????????????????????????-????????????????????????-????????????'????-????????????????, Courtesy of the artist's instagram
Christine d’Ornano expressed the foundation’s long-term vision: “Through this award, Sisley seeks to uncover exceptional talents and amplify their voices internationally. We are committed to fostering cultural exchanges and helping Korean artists gain the recognition they deserve globally.”
The Sisley for Young Creation Award Korea also reflects the evolving dynamics of the art world, where support for emerging talents is recognized as crucial to fostering innovation. The initiative is a testament to Sisley’s dedication to bridging cultural divides and creating opportunities for artists to experiment and thrive in global contexts.
This award also complements the Korean government’s broader initiatives to promote the nation’s soft power through art and culture. As Korean contemporary art gains traction globally, programs like this are essential in sustaining its momentum, providing young artists with the resources and visibility to make their mark.
For So Jin Kwak, this recognition is both a milestone and a stepping stone. As she continues to expand her artistic endeavors, the platform provided by Sisley will enable her to engage with new audiences, enrich her practice, and further contribute to the discourse of contemporary art.
