Shine Brightly

A comprehensive yet accessible survey of Korean photography since 1957

A comprehensive yet accessible survey of Korean photography by two leading curators. Visually bold, it provides access to important thematics, key artistic positions and events in Korean photography’s development from 1957 to the present.

Shine Brightly: Korean Photography Since 1957 is the first wide-ranging survey of Korean photography in the English language. Built upon original, on-the-ground research and first-hand interviews, this publication offers a focused yet accessible exploration of the key artists, movements and exhibitions against their political, social and economic backdrops.

Korean photography, whose practitioners have forged a unique visual language over seven decades, has been a vital part of the rise of South Korea’s identity and influence at the heart of contemporary culture. Bold and richly detailed, this survey will engage readers looking to embark on an unprecedented, curated journey through Korea’s photographic history.

Featuring more than 100 photographers and over 450 photographs, this striking publication traces the development of Korean photography from the documentary roots of post-war realism and the avant-garde explorations of the 1970s and 80s to the key themes and artists at work today. Not only do authors Holly Roussell and Sunyoung Kim present important thematic developments, but they also propose new approaches to understanding the role of photography in performance and video art, the evolving aesthetics and symbolism of landscape photography, and the politicization of cityscapes around the turn of the millennium.

For all who seek an understanding of an increasingly important photographic culture, Shine Brightly will be the definitive publication.