MMCA Gwacheon Permanent Exhibition 'Korean Modern and Contemporary Art I'

Name: MMCA Gwacheon Permanent Exhibition 'Korean Modern and Contemporary Art I'
Start: 2026-04-22
End: 2027-06-27
Location: Gwacheon

MMCA 과천 상설전 «한국근현대미술 I»

This permanent exhibition presents 145 works created during the first half of the 20th century, a period marked by forced modernization, colonial occupation, liberation, and the Korean War. It traces how Korean artists navigated between preserving tradition and absorbing Western influences, exploring the introduction of photography, Western realism, and the gradual feminization of artistic circles. Organized in nine sections, the exhibition follows the evolution of painting practices: Western-inspired landscape, still life, and portraiture, before focusing on the 1930s-1940s era captured in the Chosŏn Art Exhibition, then informal experimentation and family-themed explorations following the war. It underscores how art provided creators with resources to confront periods of historical upheaval.

Book on the official site

Dates: Apr 22, 2026 → Jun 27, 2027
Venue: Gwacheon · 🌸 Gyeonggi
Price: ₩3,000
Ticketing: Official museum site

Practical information

Exact location: Gwacheon
Organiser: National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

🎟️ How to book — Official museum site

1
Check opening hours on the museum's official site
Many Korean national museums close one day a week, often Mondays — worth checking before you make the trip.
2
Book a time slot for the most popular exhibitions
The most anticipated temporary exhibitions sometimes limit access to online time-slot reservations, especially on weekends.
3
Permanent collections are often free
Only certain special or temporary exhibitions charge admission — the permanent collection itself is free to enter at most national museums.
4
Book ahead for groups or guided tours
School groups and guided tours generally need to be booked directly with the museum ahead of the visit.

💡 Good to know

Many Korean national museums close one day a week (often Mondays) — check before you go.