The Korea and China exchange exhibition was held at the Art gallery in the College of Arts building last Apr 9th. This one was the Sculpture Exchange Exhibition held by Luxun Academy of Fine Arts in China and KMU. It is the second exhibition following the 1st joint exhibition at Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, China.

Works by professors and graduate’s of both universities will be on display at this exhibition just like the last one. Students of the two nations who met 6 months ago looked fully excited about the opening of the joint exhibition. Although Chinese students arrived here just yesterday, we couldn’t see any tiredness on their faces.

We have held many types of useful exhibitions lately with the exception of outdoor sculpture displays and graduation exhibitions. There were a lot of fun shows such as an exhibition for the environment, design exhibitions and campus decorations. I felt like I became a cultured person as I enjoyed the useful exhibitions on campus. In 2012, the art gallery opened a joint exhibition which is the first held by the School of Fine Arts.

Works made of wood, stone, metals and other various materials seem to contain the artist’s soul. The works were not only just made of materials. The diversity was so huge from human body expression work to objects like trees, flowers and desks, street landscape and so on. Students put their works on with individuality and passion because it was a kind of free exhibition without a particular topic. The best thing of this event was that the works from Korean and Chinese students were mixed in one place. Their works whether similar or different, got rid of the prejudice on Chinese sculpture which usually concentrates on tradition.

Apr 9th at 4pm, President Yu Ji Soo, the College of Arts faculty and 2 professors of Luxun Academy of Fine Arts attended the opening ceremony of the joint exhibition. A look of pleasure came to students faces because they already knew each other. The dean of the Art Department, Kim Tae-gon said that this is the second time for this exhibition and that he hopes it develops expanded cultural exchange beyond normal exhibitions. He gave a thank you and greeting message to the professors and graduates who were in charge of displays and put all the efforts into this event.

“Holding an international exchange exhibition between 2 universities which are famous for design is monumental work for the 2 schools development, and I hope we understand each other through this event,” President Yu Ji Soo said in his welcoming speech as he looked at displays with the participants.

Artworks on display.

This exhibition progressed with unlimited themes, and 41 pieces on display. Like last year, for the first exhibition, all works were placed without distinction to professors, students or country, putting them all together side by side.

Lee Yu-jin (Sculpture Major ‘10)

I am a transfer student. This is my first event after becoming a Kookmin University student. I thought it would a very useful program when I heard about this joint exhibition between Korea and China. I thought it would be very attractive and meaningful to see Chinese professors and students and their artwork on display. Will I hold one of best exhibitions in a few years when I become a graduate school student? I am very excited thinking about that.

Korea and China have a close relationship of mutual and cultural coexistence. Both countries bear sufficient evidence of remains and relics because they are each associated with long histories. I hope these two countries learn the strengths of each other’s historical traditions and develop even better artists and art colleges.

Also, I hope both countries learn to respect each other’s differences and share their strengths through annual visits and by holding exhibitions, seminars, travel and so on.

It is very great that they showed off their close friendship by interacting with each other both these years.