There are times when you crave a moment of tranquility and reflection. Why not discover the artistic side of Busan through travel?
From contemporary art to digital media, exhibition spaces across the city present art in a variety of ways. Exploring these exhibitions offers an escape from daily life and invites you to pause and reflect.
Looking for a sense of calm? Let art lead the way as you stroll through Busan’s exhibition spaces.
Museum of Contemporary Art Busan
Kim Chae-rin, 27 Voices of One, 2025, Mixed media, 95 × 95 × 110 cm, Supported by the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan, Collaborators - Sound: Seo Hye-min, Text: Hong Seung-taek, Video: Kim Yong-hyeon, Consultant: Lee Seong-su, Production Assistance: Park Hyeong-jo
Located in Eulsukdo Island, the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan is a special space where nature and art coexist in harmony. Since its opening in 2018, the museum has captivated visitors with its unique architecture that blends seamlessly with the surrounding landscape.
Wrapping around the building’s exterior is a lush green installation—Vertical Garden by French botanist and artist Patrick Blanc. This living artwork was created to commemorate the museum’s opening and continues to breathe life into the space.
Ten Eyes
The Museum of Contemporary Art Busan presents a wide range of contemporary works, including painting, sculpture, installation, and media art. It features exhibitions by both Korean and international artists, offering a vibrant and diverse program. During major international events such as the Biennale, visitors get a chance to experience artworks by globally renowned artists all in one place.
(Left) Hilma af Klint, No. 7, Adulthood, Group IV, one of ten large paintings, 1907
Tempera on paper mounted on canvas, 315 × 235 cm. Courtesy of the Hilma af Klint Foundation, HaK 108
(Right) Hilma af Klint, No. 1, The Swan, Group IX, Part I, SUW series, 1914–1915, Oil on canvas, 150 × 150 cm. Courtesy of the Hilma af Klint Foundation, HaK 149
Since late July 2025, the museum has been hosting Proper Summons, an exhibition by Hilma af Klint, a pioneer of abstract art, offering visitors a deeper and more thought-provoking encounter with the world of art.
In addition to exhibitions, a variety of educational programs are available, making it an ideal destination for families. With interactive spaces for children, a library, and docent-led tours, the museum invites visitors of all ages to enjoy art at their own pace.
(Photo Credit: Museum of Contemporary Art Busan)
Museum of Contemporary Art Busan
- Address : 1191, Nakdongnam-ro, Saha-gu, Busan
- Opening Hours : Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–18:00 (Last admission: 17:30)
- Closing Days : Mondays (Closed on the following Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday), January 1
- Website : https://www.busan.go.kr/moca
- Directions : Exit 3, Hadan Station of Busan Metro Line 1 → Transfer to a bus toward Myeongji at the Hadan Station Transfer Center → Get off at the Museum of Contemporary Art Busan bus stop.
※ Shuttle Bus from Busan Station (KTX) operates at 11:00 and 14:00. - Inquiries : +82-51-220-7400
Busan Museum of Art
Space Lee Ufan, Exterior View
Located near Centum City in Haeundae, the Busan Museum of Art has served as a leading public art museum at the heart of Busan’s contemporary art scene since its opening in 1998. Blending urban sensibilities with artistic depth, the museum has continually evolved as a cultural platform connecting citizens with art and bridging the local and the global.
(Left) Lee Ufan, Discussion, 2013, Steel plate, basalt
(Right) Lee Ufan, Relatum – Inside Outside, 2016, Stainless steel plate, natural stone
The museum features spacious, comfortable galleries that host year-round exhibitions across a wide range of genres, including painting, sculpture, photography, and media art.
It also offers an inviting environment for all visitors, with an outdoor sculpture garden, a children's gallery, and a library—making it easy to engage with art at your own pace.
(Left) Lee Ufan, Relatum – Narrow Gate, 2015, Steel plate, natural stone
(Right) Lee Ufan, Dialogue, 2015, Canvas, natural stone
While the main building of the Busan Museum of Art is currently undergoing renovation, the Space Lee Ufan located in the annex is well worth a visit.
Dedicated to renowned Korean contemporary artist Lee Ufan—celebrated for his philosophy of “the art of relationships”—this tranquil space offers a refined setting to experience his work. Multilingual audio guides (Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese) are available, making it a popular destination for both local and international visitors.
Currently on view are the exhibitions Collection 99.999 and The Beginning of Busan Art, which highlight the museum’s collection and the origins of the local art scene. These exhibitions offer a valuable opportunity to understand the evolution of Busan’s art and its cultural significance.
(Photo Credit: Busan Museum of Art)
Busan Museum of Art
- Address : 58, APEC-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
- Opening Hours : Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–18:00 (Last admission: 17:30)
- Closing Days : Mondays (Closed on the following Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday), January 1
- Website : https://art.busan.go.kr/
- Directions: 5-minute walk from Exit 5 of BEXCO (Busan Museum of Art) Station, Busan Metro Line 2
- Inquiries : +82-51-744-2602
- Please Note : The main building is temporarily closed for renovation.
Gallery Playlist
Located in Jung-gu, Gallery Playlist is a private gallery dedicated to showcasing bold and experimental contemporary art. Though small in scale, it continues to draw attention with exhibitions featuring fresh perspectives from emerging artists—and offers an experience that feels anything but small.
An artist introduction and guestbook at the entrance offer a thoughtful starting point, guiding visitors into a more meaningful experience with the artworks.
Gallery Playlist presents a diverse range of exhibitions including painting, photography, installation, and sculpture, offering thoughtful insight into the work of emerging Korean artists.
One of its recent exhibitions, The Quiet Grain of Objects, reflects the gallery’s continued exploration of themes such as materiality, time, and sensory experience. Through such exhibitions, Gallery Playlist has established itself not just as a place for viewing art, but as a quiet, contemplative space for emotional resonance.
Starting August 2, the exhibition The Moment Between will showcase works that visually explore the subtle sensations of “in-between” moments, each captured through the unique perspective of the participating artists.
Gallery Playlist also actively participates in international exhibitions such as the NADA Art Fair in New York, serving as an important bridge that connects Busan’s artistic vision and emerging talents with the global stage.
If you're looking for a small, thoughtful art space in the heart of the city during your travels, this might just be the perfect place to slow down and take a closer look.
(Photo Credit: Gallery Playlist)
Gallery Playlist)
- Address : 3, Daecheong-ro 138beon-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
- Opening Hours : Wednesday–Saturday 11:00–18:00
- Closing Days : Sunday, Monday, Tuesday
- Website : https://www.instagram.com/galleryplaylist
- Directions : 5-minute walk from Exit 5 of Jungang Station, Busan Metro Line 1
- Inquiries : +82-70-8287-2259
ARTE MUSEUM BUSAN
Located in Yeongdo, ARTE MUSEUM BUSAN is an immersive media art exhibition space that reinterprets the sensory beauty of nature through cutting-edge digital technology. Following its openings in Jeju, Yeosu, and Gangneung, this is the fourth ARTE MUSEUM in Korea and the largest one in the world.
Planned by d’strict, a digital design group, this exhibition explores the theme of ETERNAL NATURE, presenting media artworks that engage the senses through light, sound, and scent.
Signature works include CIRCLE, with endlessly flowing golden sand; WATERFALL INFINITE, a seven-meter-high digital cascade; and STARRY BUSAN, capturing the city’s nightscape and mood. These immersive pieces stimulate all five senses—not only sight and sound, but also smell and touch. In particular, STARRY BUSAN offers a uniquely local experience, blending music, media, and spatial design to express the identity of Busan as a port city.
Currently on view is the special exhibition ARTE MUSEUM: PINK MOON, celebrating the museum’s milestone of 10 million visitors. PINK MOON symbolizes both gratitude and a new beginning, marking the first step forward after reaching this major achievement. Don't miss this limited-time experience, on view through December 12.
(Photo Credit: ARTE MUSEUM)
ARTE MUSEUM
- Address : 29, Haeyang-ro 247beon-gil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
- Opening Hours : Daily 10:00–20:00 (Last admission: 19:00)
- Website : https://kr.artemuseum.com/busan
- Directions: Exit 8, Nampo Station of Busan Metro Line 1 → Transfer to Bus No. 17 or 186 at Yeongdodaegyo Bus Stop, → Get off at the ARTE MUSEUM / Michang Oil Bus Stop. 3-minute walk.
- Inquiries : +82-1899-5008
Overview
Address
Museum of Contemporary Art Busan: 1191, Nakdongnam-ro, Saha-gu, Busan
Busan Museum of Art: 58, APEC-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan
Gallery Playlist: 3, Daecheong-ro 138beon-gil, Jung-gu, Busan
ARTE MUSEUM BUSAN: 29, Haeyang-ro 247beon-gil, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
Inquiry
Museum of Contemporary Art Busan: +82-51-220-7400
Busan Museum of Art: +82-51-744-2602
Gallery Playlist: +82-70-8287-2259
ARTE MUSEUM BUSAN: +82-1899-5008
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