The New Museum in New York and Korea's Ulsan Art Museum have forged a significant multi-year alliance as part of the Hyundai Translocal Series. This collaboration is set to launch with an exciting new commission from the distinguished Singaporean multimedia artist, Ho Tzu Nyen. This initiative aims to bridge geographical and cultural divides, fostering a global dialogue through contemporary art.
Details of the Transcontinental Artistic Collaboration
On June 23, 2026, the New Museum in New York and the Ulsan Art Museum in Korea announced their multi-year partnership, marking a new chapter in international art collaboration. This alliance is a cornerstone of the Hyundai Translocal Series, an ambitious initiative by the Hyundai Motor Company designed to connect art institutions globally. The inaugural project under this partnership features a commission from Ho Tzu Nyen, a renowned Singaporean artist and writer. His innovative work will be uniquely displayed in the glass elevators of the New Museum’s recently unveiled OMA redesign in New York, and simultaneously in Ulsan, a vibrant coastal city situated north of Busan, Korea. Ho Tzu Nyen, recognized for representing Singapore at the 2011 Venice Biennale, often weaves together diverse mythologies and histories, creating thought-provoking narratives. In 2024, he was honored with the Chanel Next Prize and was the subject of a significant mid-career retrospective at the Singapore Art Museum, showcasing two decades of his pioneering work across animation, film, and performance. Regan Grusy, acting director of the New Museum, and Changsub Lim, director of the Ulsan Art Museum, expressed their enthusiasm for the series, highlighting its potential to explore the interplay of global and local art. The Hyundai Translocal Series, launched in 2025, is a decade-long endeavor aiming to create joint commissions, residency programs, and touring exhibitions, with a growing network of participants including Korea's Cheongju Craft Biennale, the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation, and Whitworth in the UK.
This pioneering collaboration between the New Museum and the Ulsan Art Museum underscores the transformative power of art in transcending physical boundaries. It serves as a compelling example of how cultural institutions can unite to foster global understanding and appreciation for diverse artistic expressions. By showcasing Ho Tzu Nyen's work in such prominent and symbolic spaces, the partnership not only celebrates contemporary art but also initiates a dialogue on connectivity and shared human experiences across continents.