[비즈한국] On the last day of October, an exhibition imbued with the colors of autumn opened in Daehangno, which is painted with fallen leaves. The ‘KAUP 2025 Exhibition’ by the Korea Art Upcoming Project Association is being held at Exhibition Hall 1 of the Hyehwa Art Center in Hyehwa-dong, Seoul.
The Korea Art Upcoming Project Association is a group voluntarily formed by artists discovered and introduced through the ‘Korea Art Upcoming Project,’ an annual initiative by Bizhankook to uncover new Korean artists, and they hold their own exhibitions every year. This year's exhibition features about 50 works by 14 artists, including Kim Ki-seop, Kim Yeon, Kim Yeon-ju, Kim Ji-sook, Nam Jung-im, Park Young-woo, Shin Eun-young, Lee Sun-woo, Lee Won-soon, Lee Young-soo, Lee Joo-hee, Choi Won-seok, Ha Sa-an, and Hong Ja-kyung.
The exhibition opening ceremony was held on Friday the 31st at 3 PM, attended by the artists and association officials. Kim Won-yang, CEO of Ilyo Shinmun (Publisher of Bizhankook), said, "I would like to first express my gratitude to Chairman Lee Young-soo, who silently leads the Korea Art Upcoming Project Association without any compensation," adding, "I believe the Korea Art Upcoming Project is a meaningful undertaking for the art world and, furthermore, for all of Korea." CEO Kim continued by encouraging the artists, stating, "K-Culture and K-Food are gaining popularity. I believe this fervor will extend to the art world. Lee Jae-do, the composer of 'Kedeheon,' was unknown as an idol. The artists of the Korea Art Upcoming Project can follow that path. The opportunity for K-Art to be in the spotlight will surely come."
Lee Young-soo, Chairman of the Korea Art Upcoming Project Association, expressed his gratitude, saying, "It would have been difficult to do this without the support of CEO Kim Won-yang and Ilyo Shinmun Bizhankook," and added, "It makes me proud to see artists connected to other opportunities after being introduced through the Korea Art Upcoming Project. I think that is the true ‘support’ project we aspire to be." As a veteran artist, he also offered some advice to the participating artists: "When you finish a work, do not put down the brush; start again immediately. You must paint without rest so that you are ready to exhibit when the opportunity arises. You cannot just wait for someone to call you; you must be prepared with your work so that you can seize the opportunity when it comes. Please keep painting diligently."
Jeon Jun-yeop, Bizhankook's Art Editor, who recruited and introduced the artists as both an artist and a planner for the Korea Art Upcoming Project, also said, "As an art person, I am always grateful to Ilyo Shinmun and Bizhankook, and I look forward to their continued support."
Artist Shin Eun-young, who was introduced in Season 10 last year and is participating in this exhibition, said, "Exhibitions to showcase one's work are very important to an artist. I am truly grateful for providing this opportunity."
Artist Kim Ji-sook, who lives in a local province, shared her special appreciation: "For artists living outside the capital, opportunities are extremely scarce. The mere existence of such an opportunity gives me the energy to pick up the brush. Other artists in Busan can also find new dreams and hopes through this project."
The ‘KAUP 2025 Exhibition’ will run until November 5 and is free to the public every day from 11 AM to 6 PM.