Korean royal art and culture will be on display in the U.S. at a soon-to-be-opened exhibition, “Treasures from Korea: Arts and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty, 1392-1910.”

As part of an effort at cultural exchange, and aimed at helping the two countries rediscover each other’s culture, the exhibition is a follow-up to the “Art Across America” exhibition that took place in Korea from February 5 to May 26 last year. It showcased nearly 200 works of art spanning 300 years of American art history, from the 18th through to the 20th century.

This year’s “Treasures from Korea” will showcase around 150 art pieces, national treasures and designated cultural heritage items. Most of the artwork will be introduced to museum visitors for the first time. Starting at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in March, the exhibition is set to go on a nationwide tour, making stops at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in June and at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in November.

The special exhibition is the first chance for many American audiences to get a peek into the overall pictures of Korea’s Joseon Dynasty, a kingdom that spanned over 500 years. On display are a variety of paintings and porcelain works on loan from both the National Museum of Korea (NMK) and major temples, including the Baekja Cheonghwapodowonsungimun, an underglazed cobalt-blue and white porcelain jar with a grape and monkey motif, Baekja Cheolhwamaejukmun hangari, an unglazed iron-brown and white porcelain jar with a plum and bamboo design and Baekja Dalhangari, a moon-shaped white porcelain jar.

In Philadelphia, the exhibition is being held in the Dorrance Special Exhibition Gallery, offering many types of educational programs and audio guides to the visitor. NMK Curator Woo Hyun-soo said, “The displayed items include paintings, craftworks, sculptures, furniture, clothes and photographs. They are expected to play a role in introducing to U.S. audiences the artistic achievements of the Joseon Dynasty. It will definitely provide them with invaluable opportunities and experiences to learn about Korean culture.”

Director Timothy Rub of the Philadelphia Museum expressed his gratitude at being able to host the special exhibition, made possible by the close cooperation between the NMK, the LA County Museum and the Huston Museum. He explained that the special exhibition, which highlights some 500 years of Korean art history, is part of an exchange project initiated by the “Art Across America” exhibition that took place in Korea last year. He also expressed his expectation that it will give U.S. audiences a great opportunity to learn about Korean culture and help heighten the sense of unity amongst ethnic Korean residents in America.

NMK Director Kim Young-na said, “The exhibition was designed to help American audiences learn about and understand the Joseon Dynasty’s culture, art and history, as well as the lifestyle of the people. Taking place in some of the largest museums in the U.S., and focused on communities with large numbers of Korean-Americans, the exhibition is expected to give ethnic Korean Americans a chance to rediscover and build confidence in their own tradition of arts.”

By Wi Tack-whan, Lee Seung-ah
Korea.net Staff Writers
whan23@korea.kr