Hechyeomoyeo opens 18th mass exhibition at KOTE featuring over 500 artists

The Hechyeomoyeo, or HCMY, inaugurated its 18th mass exhibition at KOTE in Seoul's Insa-dong district on Wednesday. The opening spectacle, replete with music, live drawing, face painting, clowns and flash tattoos, drew a throng of art enthusiasts from Korea and beyond. Crowds swarmed into all five floors, the roof and basement of KOTE, an aged building that houses the event.

Neil Wheelock Deforest Smith, the American artist who founded HCMY, shared his approach with The Korea Times. "My approach is straightforward: If someone tells me they have a creative skill to share, I try to find a place for them in the event," he stated. HCMY is an autonomous art initiative that originated in Korea to enhance exhibition opportunities for Korea-based artists.

Over time, it has evolved into an international community, linking hundreds of creators across the globe. Despite its worldwide influence, HCMY remains deeply rooted in its Korean origins. Smith estimates that roughly 65 percent of the participants at HCMY's Korean exhibitions are Korean nationals, while approximately 20 to 30 percent are foreign residents, with the remainder comprising international artists.