The Photography Seoul Museum of Art has officially opened in Dobong-gu, a northeastern district of Seoul, marking a significant cultural addition to an area increasingly defined by innovative architectural developments. Located adjacent to the newly inaugurated Robot and AI Museum, designed by Melike Altinisik Architects of Turkey, the photography museum contributes to the district’s emerging status as a cultural hub.
The museum is the product of a collaborative effort between Austrian firm Jadric Architektur and South Korea’s 1990uao Architects. Spanning six levels—four above ground and two below—the structure encompasses a total area of 7,048 square meters. With its minimalist concrete exterior and an interior design that prioritizes light and spatial clarity, the building strikes a balance between permanence and progression, reflecting the evolving identity of Korean photographic art.
Architecturally, the museum functions as a vessel for light. Emphasizing open circulation, understated materials, and seamless transitions between spaces, the design facilitates contemplation. Strategic voids and apertures allow natural light to change the gallery atmosphere throughout the day, enhancing the viewer’s engagement with the exhibited works.
A Landmark Institution for Korean Photography
As Korea’s first public museum dedicated exclusively to photography, the institution represents a major expansion of the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA). With this new branch, SeMA extends its cultural footprint while establishing a focused curatorial platform centered on the photographic medium.
The museum’s debut is marked by two inaugural exhibitions: The Radiance: Beginnings of Korean Art Photography and Storage Story.
The Radiance showcases foundational figures in Korean photographic art, including Jung Haechang, Lim Suk Je, Lee Hyungrok, Cho Hyundu, and Park Youngsook. Drawing on a collection that features over 20,000 photographs and archival materials from the 1920s to the 1990s, the exhibition presents these historic works in a setting that invites reflective engagement and contextual interpretation.
In contrast, Storage Story examines the museum itself as both a subject and a space for artistic inquiry. Featuring six contemporary artists—Dongsin Seo, Won Seoung Won, Jihyun Jung, Joo Yongseong, Melmel Chung, and Oh Jooyoung—the exhibition explores themes of memory, classification, and institutional identity. Each piece interacts with the architectural environment, highlighting the interplay between the building and the art it houses.
Design Rooted in Photographic Experience
The museum’s design is acutely responsive to the needs of photographic exhibition. Galleries are proportioned to support a wide range of media, from traditional silver gelatin prints to digital installations. While the building’s archival spaces remain out of public view, they play a crucial role in supporting long-term research, conservation, and collection management.
Beyond exhibitions, the Photography Seoul Museum of Art aims to serve as a dynamic center for dialogue among artists, curators, and scholars. Upcoming programs include public talks, workshops, and seasonal events that will extend throughout the summer, establishing the institution as an active cultural anchor within the region.
Though rooted in Korean photographic history, the museum’s vision is decidedly global. According to General Director Choi Eunju, the institution not only complements SeMA’s network of satellite museums but also aspires to position Seoul as a leading center for contemporary photography in Asia.
