KT&G (CEO Bang Kyung-man) is holding an exhibition titled
SKOPFGRAPHY at the Daechi Gallery in SangSang Madang through September 4,
featuring works from its Korean photographer support initiative, the KT&G
SKOPF (SangSang Madang Korean Photographer’s Fellowship).
KT&G SKOPF, established in 2008, is designed to discover and
nurture emerging photographers. Every year, three artists are chosen as the
“Photographers of the Year” and are awarded financial support, mentoring, and
exhibition opportunities. One winner is then chosen as the year’s “Final
Photographer” and awarded additional support for production and promotion. Now
in its 13th year, the program has supported a total of 54 photographers to
date, solidifying its role as a key launchpad for emerging talent in Korea’s
photography scene.
The
current exhibition, titled “KT&G SKOPF Collection” at Daechi Gallery,
presents twelve works by ten past “Final Photographers,” including Seo
Dong-shin, Lee Son, and Sung Eui-seok. Visitors can
also get their hands on 20th-anniversary keychains and exhibition postcards,
which will be available during the opening event.
Kim Gang-min, the head of KT&G’s Cultural
Contribution Division, stated, “We hope this
exhibition offers not only a retrospective of SangSang Madang’s journey in
supporting photographers, but also a glimpse into the evolving landscape of
Korean photography. KT&G will continue to discover and support rising artists to
further enrich Korea’s cultural and artistic sector.”
This year marks the 20th
anniversary of KT&G SangSang Madang, which has grown into one of Korea’s most
iconic cultural complexes, supporting emerging artists and connecting their
work with
the public. The facility welcomes approximately 3.2 million visitors annually. Since its launch as an online community in 2005, SangSang Madang
has expanded into five offline multi-cultural spaces in Hongdae, Nonsan,
Chuncheon, Daechi, and Busan—hosting over 3,000 artistic and cultural programs
every year.
