By Reporter Kayla lee  

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Samtan Art Mine, the first cultural and artistic mine in South Korea, attempts to explore a meeting with the "Africa Primitive Art" with contemporary Korean artists.

Organized by Samtan Art Mine and sponsored by Jeongseon County and Jeongamsa Temple, the exhibition titled "Contemporary Art Inspiration from African Art" will be showcased at the Samtan Art Mine Contemporary Art Museum (CAM) until August 25.

Participating artists include painters Kwon Hak-jun, Park Bong-gi, Saya, Wi Se-bok, Yoon Hoo-myeong, Lee In, Cho Young-jae, sculptors, and more. While there have been previous African art exhibitions in South Korea, this event stands out as the first collaboration and homage exhibition between Samtan Art Mine's collection and contemporary artists with imaginative creativity.

Notably, Yoon Hoo-myeong, a novelist, poet, and artist from Gangneung, Gangwon Province, submitted his work and wrote the exhibition's title. Additionally, talented actor Lee Jae-yong, originally from Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, was appointed as the exhibition's promotional ambassador, deeply moved by his cultural visit to Samtan Art Mine.

Son Hwa-soon, the representative of Samtan Art Mine, expressed, "This exhibition, held in commemoration of our 10th anniversary, not only offers inspiration from African Primitive Art to the masters of contemporary art history but also serves as an excellent 'art education' experience for families, couples, and Korean youth. We also plan to run art experience programs during the exhibition period to help foster creativity in Jeongseon County's children."

Artistic director Kim Hyung-seok explained the exhibition's concept, saying, "African Primitive Art possesses artistic and contemporary elements, transcending time and space, while also reminding us of the vibrant vitality and power in this materialistic era. Just like the joy of rediscovering the taste of a madeleine and tea from our childhood, the theme of 'redemption through repetition' is the reason why 21st-century Korean contemporary artists are immersing themselves in African Primitive Art, reinterpreting and paying homage."

Samtan Art Mine has been recognized as a public cultural and artistic space in the regional urban regeneration project, winning the Grand Prize at the "2013 South Korea Public Design Awards" hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. It boasts the largest collection of art pieces, including African Primitive Art and Origin Art, in South Korea.