ETSU EGAMI
ECHOES OF THE EARTH

OAR CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM, GYEONGJU, SOUTH KOREA
8 APRIL – 21 SEPTEMBER 2025

On April 8, 2025, the OAR Contemporary Art Museum, a new art museum, opened in Gyeongju, South Korea. Gyeongju, South Korea, is the host city for APEC this year and has been attracting attention in recent years as the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, with UNESCO World Heritage sites. The museum's director, Kim Mun-ho, has been collecting art for many years and built the museum in Gyeongju with deep passion. To commemorate the opening of the museum, we will be holding a solo exhibition by Japanese artist Egami Etsu, from April 8 to September 21.

Recognized as a leading figure of the third generation of postwar Japanese contemporary artists, Egami Etsu delves into the complexities of communication. Drawing from her international experiences, she visualizes moments of miscommunication—misalignment, mishearing, and misperception—as a central theme in her work.Egami’s achievements have earned her global recognition, including a place on Forbes Asia’s 30 UNDER 30 list (2021), PRESTIGE Hong Kong’s Artist to Watch 2024, and the Best Artist Prize at Art Karlsruhe. Her work has been acquired for the permanent collection of the State Museum of Art in Karlsruhe.

This exhibition will showcase an immersive display, including three monumental pieces—each nearly six meters long—that explore the interplay between calligraphy and music. Alongside these, visitors will encounter vibrant portraits of international singers and a series of colorful works that invite you into Egami’s unique visual language.

© Images OAR Contemporary Art Museum, Etsu Egami: Echos of the Earth

Created specifically for this museum’s opening, Egami’s latest works continue her exploration of miscommunication, human connection, physical presence, dance, and sound. These pieces offer a profound glimpse into the artist’s evolving expression.

This exhibition is presented with the academic support of Stefanie Patruno, Director of the State Museum of Art in Karlsruhe, Germany. This institution also holds works by Egami Etsu in its collection.

FEATURED ARTIST

ETSU EGAMI
Etsu Egami is a representative of the third generation of post-war Japanese contemporary artists, actively involved in Japan, China, the United States, and Europe. She studied at The Karlsruhe University of Arts and Design (HFG) in Germany and at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing.

She was recognized as the youngest artist listed in Forbes Asia’s 30 Under 30 for individuals “changing the world.” In 2024, she was the sole artist featured in the APEC Summit Asia Pacific Leaders Under 30.

Growing up in the United States and Europe and now living and working in China and Japan, Egami’s diverse cultural experiences have deepl...
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