Gilbert & George and Robert Rauschenberg in Spectrosynthesis Seoul Group Exhibition at Art Sonje Center
Art Sonje Center presents Spectrosynthesis Seoul, on view from 20 March until 28 June 2026. As South Korea’s first large-scale institutional exhibition dedicated to queer art, this landmark event gathers 74 artists and teams whose avant-garde practices navigate the complex boundaries of time, space, and societal frameworks. Organised in partnership with the Hong Kong-based Sunpride Foundation, this exhibition marks the fourth edition of the acclaimed Spectrosynthesis series, following successful iterations in Taipei, Bangkok, and Hong Kong. By mapping a topography of LGBTQ+ artistic practices within the urban context of Seoul, the show interweaves diverse geographic contexts and multiple generations of talent to explore a layered spectrum of memory, place, and sensibility.
The exhibition is structured into two distinct sections. The first, "The Two-Sided Seashell," curated by Artistic Director Sunjung Kim (Art Sonje Center), transforms the entire building into a transitional space that incorporates the lobby and corridors to rethink notions of transformation and existing histories. The second part, "Tender: Invisibly Visible, Unlocatably Everywhere," curated by Professor Yongwoo Lee (Chinese University of Hong Kong), examines queer spatiality and temporality specifically within Korean society. Throughout the exhibition period, the discourse will be further expanded through a series of performance programs and lectures.
Crucially, "Part 1: The Two-Sided Seashell" serves as a vital examination of queer art history by showcasing significant works from the Sunpride Foundation collection. Highlighting this historical lineage, the exhibition features the seminal piece RIB TIE (2022) by Gilbert & George, alongside the profound Truth (1982) from the series '7 Characters' by Robert Rauschenberg. These masterpieces anchor the section, providing an essential art-historical context that resonates with the newly commissioned contemporary works on display.
Images. 1. Gilbert & George, RIB TIE , 2022. Mixed media. 151 × 127 × 4 cm. Courtesy: artist and Sunpride foundation. 2. Robert Rauschenberg, Truth, 1982. Silk, ribbon, paper-pulp relief, ink and gold leaf on handmade Xuan paper, mirror. 110 × 79 × 6.5 cm. Courtesy: Robert Rauschenberg Foundation and Sunpride Foundation.
