SEOUL – The Cultural Arts Committee of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK) presented the 28th Catholic Art Awards on February 14th at the Familia Chapel of Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul. This year's top honor went to the Namyang Holy Mother Sanctuary Cathedral.
The cathedral was recognized for its successful transformation from a purely religious space into a vibrant cultural hub for the local community, seamlessly integrating with the surrounding landscape. Architect Han Man-won (Andrea), who designed the Grand Cathedral, described the sanctuary as "a space for prayer and meditation, a sacred place where faith and art meet." He reflected on the project, stating, "Through this, I was able to once again realize the essence of architecture in which nature and humans harmonize."
The awards also celebrated emerging talent with the Young Artist Award. Kim Yoon-ah (Rosa) received the award in the painting category for her series, "The Path of Love Leading to Conversion 2," which offers a modern reinterpretation of God, pushing the boundaries of traditional painting techniques. In the sculpture category, Park Seong-hwan (Damiano) won for his work, "The 14 Stations of the Cross at the Masan Carmel Monastery." The judges commended Park's ability to express Christ's suffering with restrained emotion, deepening the work's contemplative power.
Kim Yoon-ah expressed gratitude for the award, saying, "I will remember that everything is given by God and become a believer who spreads the Gospel through art." She also pledged to "learn and grow more in the future." Park Seong-hwan shared similar sentiments, stating, "This award came to me as an encouragement to keep working hard." He expressed hope that the Young Artist Award would serve as "hope for young artists who are struggling for their work."
The Lifetime Achievement Award was posthumously awarded to the late architect, Otto Carr Ul, and the Naedang Church of the Daegu Archdiocese, which he designed. Father Park Byeong-rae (Antonio), the parish priest of Naedang Parish, and Son Sul-young (Domingo), the president of the General Assembly, accepted the award on behalf of the church and the late architect.
Bishop Seo Sang-beom (Tito), Chairman of the CBCK Cultural Arts Committee, emphasized the significance of sacred art, stating, "Catholic sacred art is an artistic work in which the Spirit of God resides, and it has the power to lead those who see and use it to the spiritual world." He offered a prayer that "many artists will continue to give greater glory to God through their creative activities."
An exhibition showcasing the winning works of the 28th Catholic Art Awards is being held at Myeongdong Gallery 1898 from February 14th to 23rd.
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