Curated by Sunjung Kim, Art Sonje Center’s Artistic Director and Dr. Yongwoo Lee, media historian and cultural studies scholar, and Assistant Professor in Cultural Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the exhibition adopts Korea as a focal point through which to showcase the works of LGBTQ+ artists and allies whose practices transcend the boundaries of time, space, and systems. Presenting works by artists in Korea and beyond, Spectrosynthesis Seoul explores both the current conditions and future potentials of art centred around the LGBTQ+ community, while mapping the layered terrain of Korea’s queer art scene, as well as the wider ecosystem to which it belongs.

Featured artists include leading international figures such as Annie Leibovitz, Gilbert & George, Martin Wong and Robert Rauschenberg, presented in dialogue with notable homegrown talents such as Ayoung Kim, Kang Seung Lee, and Inhwan Oh. See appendix for full list of participating artists.

The exhibition will also debut new works from siren eun young jung, Mark Bradford, Maria Taniguchi, Grim Park, co-commissioned by Art Sonje Center and Sunpride Foundation, as well as feature more than 30 works from Sunpride Foundation’s existing collection. The selection references a list of works chosen by artist Sung Hwan Kim for his commissioned essay for the exhibition. His essay, drawing on his own personal standpoint to bring a unique, artist-led perspective, will be published in the exhibition catalogue to be released in March 2026.

Spectrosynthesis Seoul examines diverse identities, concerns, and artistic practices that have often been overlooked within dominant art-historical narratives. Reflecting this diversity and multiplicity of voices, the exhibition adopts a curatorial framework that approaches queer art through multiple, intersecting perspectives rather than a singular viewpoint. Conceived as a “space of transition” unfolding across all floors of Art Sonje Center, the exhibition allows heterogeneous voices and positions to coexist and interact. Expanding upon earlier presentations of the Spectrosynthesis series, it brings together works from the Sunpride Foundation’s collection alongside new and recent works by collection artists and newly invited participants, offering a layered and multifaceted view of queer art today.

Founded in 1998, Art Sonje Center is a leading contemporary art institution in Seoul, dedicated to promoting artistic creativity and cultural diversity, and global sustainability. It serves as a dynamic platform for creative expression, connecting Korean audiences with international art while elevating Korean contemporary art worldwide. Through exhibitions, performances, screenings, research, and learning programs, Art Sonje Center fosters an inclusive, open ecosystem that encourages free thinking, supports artists’ bold experiments, and engages communities in critical dialogues about art, society, and the planet.