Pioneering LGBTQ+ collector Patrick Sun to break through Korean art scene
An unprecedented LGBTQ+ exhibition is set to take place in the first quarter of next year
Hong Kong collector Patrick Sun has collected art since the 1980s, merging his passions in contemporary art and LGBTQ+ society. The collector will knock on the door of the Korean art scene early next year by showing his collection at the Art Sonje Center in Seoul.
An exhibition of artwork with overarching LGBTQ+ themes is unprecedented for the museum in a city where such art is rarely dealt. Sun, the founder of Sunpride Foundation, claims he is the first to collect art to support the LGBTQ+ society 'systematically' in Asia with a mission to exhibit at museums.
'It is our great pleasure to announce our fourth exhibition in Asia at Art Sonje Center. Seoul is a dynamic city, rich in character and with a thriving arts community, while Art Sonje Center is an institution I respect very much,' he said.
When he visited Seoul in September last year, he found the city is becoming more accepting and tolerant regarding the LGBTQ+ community. His collection includes Korean artists such as LA-based Lee Kang-seung among some 300 works.
'I suppose if we do a show with a gallery, it would also have good exposure, but I don't think the general public will come to see it,' he told The Korea Herald in September before finalizing the exhibition venue.
'But with public museums, you get like aunts, grandmas and students coming in, and if they are not sure what they are coming to see and it happens to be a queer theme with our show – hopefully after the exposure, they become a little bit more open-minded.'
The Art Sonje Center is a privately owned, non-profit museum dedicated to supporting contemporary and experimental art.
Sun's collection has been built throughout decades with his particular interest in social injustice relating to LGBTQ+ and marginalized communities who face discrimination.
'There is one issue that I am particularly interested in. I sort of briefly touch upon the queer culture that is embedded in the history that tends to be overlooked as history is written predominately by straight people – there must be other stories that were not documented or remembered,' he said.
Sun said he is always aware that there are diverse voices surrounding the queer community in many societies and tries to be careful in selecting art and the way he and curators present works when he does an exhibition.
'Hopefully what we do makes an impact (with an exhibition), but I am not really ambitious. You know, people would say, 'Wow do you want to affect the society with law change?' No, that is really beyond my control,' he said. 'But it is my duty to try (on behalf of LGBTQ+ people) to convince even one person that it is not wrong or just 'fashionable.''
The exhibition will take place in the first quarter of next year.
'We deeply admire their mission of championing the marginalized voices of the LGBTQ+ artistic community within Asia-Pacific, successfully cultivated by Patrick Sun over the years. Together, in collaboration with Sunpride Foundation, we are excited to present a show that engages with the contemporary Korean queer art scene alongside Asia-Pacific artists, fostering meaningful dialogue and visibility for these vital artistic voices,' said Kim Sun-jung, artistic director of Art Sonje Center.
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