Seongeun Art Award shortlists 20 artists for grand prize

An exhibition of 20 artists shortlisted for the 22nd edition of the Songeun Art Award opened Wednesday at Songeun Art Space in Gangnam-gu, southern Seoul.

The works, ranging from paintings and sculptures to digital works and installations, will run through Feb. 18.

Organized by the Songeun Art and Cultural Foundation, the Songeun Art Award is one of the country's most prestigious art awards.

The 20 artists were selected from a pool of 503 applicants -- the largest number of shortlisted candidates since the award was founded in 2001. All shortlisted artists are offered spots in a residency program run by the Delfina Foundation, a London-based nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating artistic exchange.

The winner of the grand prize, to be announced in January, will be awarded 20 million won ($15,600) and granted a solo exhibition at a newly built gallery building run by the Songeun Art and Cultural Foundation in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Two works by the grand prize winner will become part of the collections at the Songeun Art and Cultural Foundation and the Seoul Museum of Art.

Founded in 1989 by the late Yoo Sung-yeon, the Songeun Art and Cultural Foundation supports emerging Korean artists and presents works by established international artists. Yoo was the founder of the energy company ST International in 1962 and was once an aspiring artist.

Previous winners of the annual art award include Kwon Ah-ram, Kim Joon and Kim Young-eun.

By Park Yuna (yunapark@heraldcorp.com)