A Move Toward the Indigenous Development of Western Art History in Korea

Abstract

This paper explores trends and key issues in Korea’s academic field of Western art history from 2021 to 2022. The analysis focuses on master’s theses, dissertations, papers in art history-related academic journals and conferences. Modern art continued to dominate with a 26:78 ratio compared to pre-modern art. Although classical, medieval, and early modern art had fewer scholars and papers, an influx of pre-modern era scholars over the past decade has increased research activity. Recent trends move away from traditional enumeration of art historical findings to embrace interdisciplinary studies.BR Increased awareness of climate change, the pandemic’s impact, and global environmental issues has led to reflection on anthropocentric thinking and the emergence of ‘anthropocene’ discourse in Western modern art studies. Advancements in digital technology, cyborgs, AI, and the metaverse are influencing Western modern art research. Korean modern art research is integrating Western art history methodologies, notably through collaborative symposia in 2021-2022.BR Historically, there has been a self-deprecating view that downplays the role of Western art history in Korea as only for “internal consumption.” This dichotomy between west/center and east/periphery is detrimental to the future development of Western art history in non-Western countries. We hope this ‘retrospective and forward-looking’ provides perspective.