[Features reporter] First public art museum in Korea specializing in photography opens

The SeMA Museum of Photography, is a branch of the Seoul Museum of Art and the first and only public space in Korea specializing in photography.

This museum plans to offer diverse activities to become a new center for photographic art in Korea and Asia.

Cha Yun-kyung has more.

Photographer Jung Hae-chang held the first photo exhibition in Korea in 1929.

Lee Hyung-rok showed the devastated land and the lives of people right after the Korean War; while Cho Hyun-doo has been evaluated as a pioneer in the field of abstract photography in Korea.

Their work, which highlights the history of Korean artistic photography, can be seen at the SeMA Museum of Photography, the first public space in Korea specializing in photography.

"As SeMA Museum of Photography has collected and conducted research on the collections of 26 photographers. So far we have displayed the work of 5 of the main main photographers in the history of Korean photography."

Two special exhibitions are being held at the SeMA Museum.

One elaborates on the history of Korean photography over a century, and the other displays various work by 6 contemporary photographers showing the construction of the museum.

"We want to ensure that all visitors can experience the influence and artistic value of photography by putting on these special exhibitions."

Located in Changdong, Dobong-gu District of Seoul, the museum features exhibition halls, darkrooms, a photo library, and education rooms for programs covering all age groups.

The museum plans to run special exhibitions until October.

Cha Yun-kyung, Arirang News.