HAEJOUM ART MUSEUM, the first museum specializing in modern and contemporary art in Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do, which has focused on highlighting modern and contemporary painters from the Busan and Gyeongnam regions, is hosting a special exhibition, "Five Colors, Five Personalities: Washing Brushes in the Setting Sea," for tourists visiting Geoje Island during the summer vacation season.

Running from the 24th of this month to August 30th at the HAEJOUM ART MUSEUM (located in Hacheong-myeon, Geoje; open Thursday through Sunday), this exhibition features the work of five prominent female artists currently active in Busan: Kim Chun-ja, Yeo Ju-kyung, Lee Ga-young, Jeon Hye-won, and Jo Bu-kyung.

The exhibition title, "Washing Brushes in the Setting Sea," is inspired by the location of HAEJOUM ART MUSEUM, which overlooks the beautiful sunset of the Geoje coastline, and is borrowed from the poem "Washing a Spade in the Setting River" by poet Jeong Hee-seong, a native of Changwon, Gyeongnam.

Among the five Busan-based artists, each armed with creative diversity, Kim Chun-ja is a seasoned painter who has long explored the concept of "life" through her repeated experiences on this land, presenting dreamlike and highly individual works.

Korean-style painter Yeo Ju-kyung reinterprets urban landscapes through her own unique sensibilities. By integrating Oriental materials and techniques, such as traditional *jangji* (mulberry paper) and mineral pigments, with modern urban imagery, she continuously explores the potential for the contemporary expansion of Korean painting.

Artist Lee Ga-young’s early monochromatic paintings stemmed from curiosity about the origins and operational principles of the world. More recently, she has used materials like clay to explore themes of taboo, desire, eroticism, and grotesque forms, all while maintaining a warm perspective toward life.

The work of painter Jeon Hye-won is filled with ambiguity. Through figures and still lifes, she visualizes the infinite memories and thoughts residing within her inner self, leaving a powerful impression, much like eyes gleaming in the dark.

Abstract artist Jo Bu-kyung paints space using simple blocks of color. Moving beyond mere backgrounds for specific objects or situations, she realizes spaces stripped of all descriptive elements, creating a three-dimensional depth through the subtle variations in color across the canvas.

Lim Ho-geon, Director of HAEJOUM ART MUSEUM, stated, "I recommend an 'Art Vacance'—an artistic journey—to our cool museum, which offers spectacular sunset views, amidst the abundant natural beauty and summer vacation spots of Geoje Island. Together with our permanent exhibition 'UTOPIA,' which showcases masterpieces by leading Korean modern and contemporary artists and painters from the Yeongnam region, this 'Five Colors, Five Personalities' exhibition will serve as a healing spot and a must-visit art destination that will satisfy the aesthetic sensibilities of both local residents and domestic and international tourists."

Meanwhile, HAEJOUM ART MUSEUM permanently exhibits approximately 500 pieces from its private collection. The museum features works by modern and contemporary Korean artists such as Lee Jung-seob, Park Soo-keun, Chang Uc-chin, Chun Kyung-ja, Kim Whan-ki, and Kim Tschang-yeul, as well as works by artists representing Busan, Gyeongnam, and Geoje, including Kim Jong-sik, Moon Shin, Kim Hyung-keun, Jeon Hyuk-lim, and Yang Dal-seok. It also displays calligraphy by Chusa Kim Jeong-hui and Geoje-native calligrapher Seongpa Ha Dong-ju.

Aligning with Geoje City's future urban strategy to become a marine cultural tourism hub befitting its status as the world’s number one shipbuilding city, Director Lim Ho-geon also serves as the Chairman of the "Art Island Geoje Council," an organization pursuing the vision of an "Attractive Luxury City, Island of Art" to foster cultural enjoyment for citizens and attract domestic and international tourists.

This exhibition is hosted by HAEJOUM ART MUSEUM, organized by Gaia Co., Ltd., and supported by the Art Island Geoje Council and Gallery Art Island.