The show is arranged to study variously embodied phenomenon of understanding realty and speech of the artists who participated in social and historic situation of that time.
In 1980's participative national art appeared as a movement of self awakening of the time extensively denying modernism which was the main stream of existing artist's world.
It would be said that the movement suggested new trend in both conceptional and formal aspects trying to overcome modernism which adhered to elitism captured by the idea of art for art's shake alienating itself from real life. (Seoul Museum of Art names the style like that 'Realism in 80's) The main idea of the realism art in 80's is to recover mutual understanding with the public throughout perceiving reality and returning figure, so it was confirmation of life above just personal expression and moreover medium to realize a field of mutual understanding for better life.
Realism art in 80's also showed a phase of cultural movement which widely communicated with the contemporaries in relation with situation of the time. Therefore, from the viewpoint of Korean modern art history, realism art in 80's has significance on the fact that it is spontaneous art form reflecting our specific historicity. The art works displayed art expression of reality of life. From the works dealt with social historical context to individual life, you would see various expression of artists' suffering and understanding of reality. In this point of view, this exhibition would be good opportunity for audiences to meditate on true meaning of life.