‘Artworks should be judged by quality, not by price’
This is the fourth in a 10-part series on prominent art galleries in Korea. – Ed
Sun Gallery president Kim Chang-sil was running about in high heels in her gallery in Insa-dong, central Seoul, answering her endlessly ringing cellphone and checking every little detail, on a Thursday afternoon.
The 75 year old is still the busiest person in the gallery, 33 years after she stepped into the world of art dealing. She had many titles over the years, including two terms as the president of the Galleries Association of Korea.
“It is hard, but I have to do it because I feel a sense of responsibility,” she said, turning the key to her office, tucked away in the back room on the gallery’s fourth floor.
There, through Kim’s collection of her favorite artworks, photos of her family and those she took with VIPs like President Lee Myung-bak, awards she won and books she wrote, one can see her efforts and achievements over the years.
“Once I decide to do something, I have to do it right. I decided to start a culture business, so I am running a culture business, as it should be run,” she said, taking a seat on an antique couch she bought nearly 40 years ago, before she opened the gallery in 1977.
Sun Gallery contributed much to Korea‘s art scene, introducing numerous talented local and international artists to the Korean public. Sun Art, a quarterly magazine which was published by the gallery for 13 years, contributed to raising awareness of art among the public and the annual Sun Art Award, established in 1984, is still well-recognized in the field. In 2008, Kim opened an atelier in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, which provides free accommodation and studio space for artists.
It is no surprise that Kim was honored with an Order of Cultural Merit last year. It was the first time that a gallery owner was given the prize.
Kim has been interested in art ever since she was a child, as she grew up in a relatively privileged family which encouraged cultural experiences.
“I thought all family should naturally have music and art in their homes,” she confessed.
But since her father insisted that women, too, should have a certain skill to make a living, Kim studied medicine at Ewha Womans University and opened a pharmacy. She later quit that job and concentrated on educating her children after her marriage, but her interest in art did not fade away.
One day, she came across Do Sang-bong’s painting “Lilac” and bought it. It was her first collection. One thing led to another and Kim decided to open her own gallery.
“I just wanted to see more artworks of good quality and collect them,” said Kim.
Her love for art greatly influenced her daughter, Lee Myung-jin, as Lee one day gave up her dream to be a pianist and announced that she wanted to follow in Kim’s footsteps. Lee opened a gallery of her own, Gallery Sun Contemporary in Sogyuk-dong, Seoul.
Does she give advices to her daughter every now and then?
“Young people these days do not like to be lectured,” said Kim, laughing. But she did point out some important values in running a gallery.
“The key is to walk a straight path. The art business suffers from many problems these days because so many galleries just focus on making money. They frantically try to raise the value of their affiliated artists only, making other galleries and artists suffer. I’ve been asked to participate in auctions, several times, but I never do it because I do not want to hurt other galleries,” said Kim.
“Take Park Soo Keun for example. He too, is another bestselling artist created by galleries, although I do think he is one of the greatest artists in Korea. Some thoughtless investors simply buy the works because galleries say it is good. But artworks should be assessed and selected for their good quality, not for their English or French translation. We don’t buy French artists’ works because we speak good French, do we?”
In fact, the word “sun” in the gallery’s name is from the Chinese letter that means “to select,” not the one that means “nice,” she explained.
For the gallery’s last exhibition which commemorated its 33rd anniversary, Kim carefully selected pieces by 363 Korean artists. The unprecedented exhibition, which showed off Kim’s influence in the art business was given a favorable reception.
The gallery’s upcoming exhibition is on Lisa Vershbow, a metal craft artist perhaps better known here as the wife of Alexander Vershbow, a former U.S. ambassador to Korea. Her exhibition starts on Wednesday.
It was Kim who had offered Vershbow to showcase her works in Korea for the first time at Sun Gallery, four years ago.
“I saw her works first and liked them very much. Her works are peculiar, as she does not use gemstones to make jewelry. She is a hardworking artist who is very well recognized in the U.S.,” said Kim, fingering a long broach on her collar that was made by Vershbow.
For more information on Sun Gallery or on Lisa Vershbow’s exhibition, call (02) 734-0458 or visit www.sungallery.co.kr.
By Park Min-young (claire@heraldm.com)
Sun Gallery president Kim Chang-sil was running about in high heels in her gallery in Insa-dong, central Seoul, answering her endlessly ringing cellphone and checking every little detail, on a Thursday afternoon.
The 75 year old is still the busiest person in the gallery, 33 years after she stepped into the world of art dealing. She had many titles over the years, including two terms as the president of the Galleries Association of Korea.
“It is hard, but I have to do it because I feel a sense of responsibility,” she said, turning the key to her office, tucked away in the back room on the gallery’s fourth floor.
There, through Kim’s collection of her favorite artworks, photos of her family and those she took with VIPs like President Lee Myung-bak, awards she won and books she wrote, one can see her efforts and achievements over the years.
“Once I decide to do something, I have to do it right. I decided to start a culture business, so I am running a culture business, as it should be run,” she said, taking a seat on an antique couch she bought nearly 40 years ago, before she opened the gallery in 1977.
 |
| Kim Chang-sil, president of Sun Gallery, sits on the sculpture “Rest” by Kim Myung-sook. Kim Myung-sub/ The Korea Herald |
It is no surprise that Kim was honored with an Order of Cultural Merit last year. It was the first time that a gallery owner was given the prize.
Kim has been interested in art ever since she was a child, as she grew up in a relatively privileged family which encouraged cultural experiences.
“I thought all family should naturally have music and art in their homes,” she confessed.
But since her father insisted that women, too, should have a certain skill to make a living, Kim studied medicine at Ewha Womans University and opened a pharmacy. She later quit that job and concentrated on educating her children after her marriage, but her interest in art did not fade away.
One day, she came across Do Sang-bong’s painting “Lilac” and bought it. It was her first collection. One thing led to another and Kim decided to open her own gallery.
“I just wanted to see more artworks of good quality and collect them,” said Kim.
Her love for art greatly influenced her daughter, Lee Myung-jin, as Lee one day gave up her dream to be a pianist and announced that she wanted to follow in Kim’s footsteps. Lee opened a gallery of her own, Gallery Sun Contemporary in Sogyuk-dong, Seoul.
Does she give advices to her daughter every now and then?
“Young people these days do not like to be lectured,” said Kim, laughing. But she did point out some important values in running a gallery.
“The key is to walk a straight path. The art business suffers from many problems these days because so many galleries just focus on making money. They frantically try to raise the value of their affiliated artists only, making other galleries and artists suffer. I’ve been asked to participate in auctions, several times, but I never do it because I do not want to hurt other galleries,” said Kim.
“Take Park Soo Keun for example. He too, is another bestselling artist created by galleries, although I do think he is one of the greatest artists in Korea. Some thoughtless investors simply buy the works because galleries say it is good. But artworks should be assessed and selected for their good quality, not for their English or French translation. We don’t buy French artists’ works because we speak good French, do we?”
In fact, the word “sun” in the gallery’s name is from the Chinese letter that means “to select,” not the one that means “nice,” she explained.
For the gallery’s last exhibition which commemorated its 33rd anniversary, Kim carefully selected pieces by 363 Korean artists. The unprecedented exhibition, which showed off Kim’s influence in the art business was given a favorable reception.
The gallery’s upcoming exhibition is on Lisa Vershbow, a metal craft artist perhaps better known here as the wife of Alexander Vershbow, a former U.S. ambassador to Korea. Her exhibition starts on Wednesday.
It was Kim who had offered Vershbow to showcase her works in Korea for the first time at Sun Gallery, four years ago.
“I saw her works first and liked them very much. Her works are peculiar, as she does not use gemstones to make jewelry. She is a hardworking artist who is very well recognized in the U.S.,” said Kim, fingering a long broach on her collar that was made by Vershbow.
For more information on Sun Gallery or on Lisa Vershbow’s exhibition, call (02) 734-0458 or visit www.sungallery.co.kr.
By Park Min-young (claire@heraldm.com)
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