KT&G (President &
CEO Bang Kyung-man) has named photographer Seong Ui-seok as the finalist of the
15th KT&G Sangsangmadang Korean Photographer’s Fellowship (SKOPF), an
initiative dedicated to supporting Korean photographers.
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 benefits totaling ₩45 million, including financial support, mentoring,
and exhibition opportunities.
For the 15th edition, Kim
Yeong-gyeong, Seong Ui-seok, and Kim Ji-won were selected as Photographers of
the Year in June of last year following evaluations by cultural and art
experts. After a six-month mentoring program, photographer Seong Ui-seok was chosen
as the finalist through a public portfolio review.
Seong Ui-seok, a student
at the Korea National University of Arts, received acclaim for his innovative
approach, which merges past and present imagery through AI to create original
and experimental works. As the finalist, Seong Ui-seok will receive additional
support for his creative endeavors, including a solo exhibition opportunity and
a photography book publication.
KT&G Exhibition
Director Kim Jeong-yun stated, “KT&G SKOPF has established itself as one of
Korea’s leading programs for supporting photographers. Over the past 15 years,
the program has produced around 50 artists and solidified its reputation as a
platform for emerging talent.” She added, “We remain committed to fostering the
sustainable growth of the cultural and artistic community through various
artist support programs.”
KT&G SangSang Madang
serves as a multifaceted cultural and artistic space, supporting the creative
activities of emerging artists while offering diverse cultural experiences to
the public. Since the launch of its first location in Hongdae in 2007, the
platform has expanded to five locations, including Nonsan, Chuncheon, Daechi,
and Busan, contributing to the development of regional culture and the
broadening of cultural and artistic engagement. KT&G SangSang Madang
attracts around 3 million visitors annually and hosts over 3,000 cultural and
artistic programs every year.