When it comes to art exhibitions, the artists’ name recognition often determines whether or not general viewers will go see them. 

But museums and galleries are on the lookout for those unknown to the public. They discover and support young talents with fresh ideas and compelling modes of visual expression that may put them on a list of such established names in the future.

To give such artists an opportunity to introduce their work to a broader audience, two museums in Seoul are currently holding exhibitions.

Songeun Art Space, run by the Songeun Cultural Foundation, is showcasing new works of 16 artists, selected by the museum’s young artist program that has run since 2011. 

“We select eight artists per year and offer them an opportunity to hold an exhibition, produce catalogues and promote their works,” said Yoo Hyung-jung, an official at the Songeun Cultural Foundation.

Titled “Summer Love,” the exhibition is diverse in mediums, subjects and ideas. Sixteen young artists in their 30s and 40s present 43 works of art, including photographs, paintings, installations and video pieces.

Media works dominate the exhibition, especially photographs that offer interesting insights of the young artists on contemporary society.

Artist Yoon Byoung-joo captured an alien landscape in the middle of Seoul. With Seoul Central Mosque in Itaewon in the background, Yoon takes people living in the typical Korean multistory residential buildings around the mosque.

Another unfamiliar sight drew the eyes of artist Kim Dae-woong. When he was studying in London, he noticed people dining alone and thought it unusual, as he was used to seeing people always eating together in Korea.

He started taking pictures of people eating out alone at restaurants. His photos look as if someone is watching them secretly from a hidden point or peeking through from upstairs.

Kumho Museum of Art also is presenting works of nine young artists currently in the museum’s residence program in an exhibition titled “The Butterfly Effect.” They dig into unusual topics and combine different mediums to effectively express their emotion, personal memories and thoughts on current social issues. 

Im Young-zoo marries painting, installation and video in a series that studies a neighborhood in Daegu, where women are known to get pregnant easily. Im tracks the origin of the town’s reputation as “fertility town” and expresses the quest in video, painting and installation pieces.

“Summer Love” runs through Sept. 19 at Songeun Art Space in Apgujeong, Seoul. For more information, visit www.songeunartspace.org. “The Butterfly Effect” ends on Sept. 6 at Kumho Museum of Art. For more information, visit www.kumhomuseum.com.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)