The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. on Nov. 18 held an opening ceremony for its newest exhibition "Celebrating 140 Years of Korea-US Ties: A Special Exhibition by the National Academy of Arts, Republic of Korea,"  with more than 50 attendees including the president of the National Academy of Arts (NAA), Republic of Korea, Yoo Hee Young and NAA member Park Kwang Jin, Consulate General Kwon Sei-joong, THIS for Diplomats members, and members of the Han-Mee Artists Association of Greater Washington.

Founded in 1954 to honor artists who have contributed to the development of culture and the arts, the National Academy of Arts, Republic of Korea is a representative organization of culture and arts with 85 members in various fields such as literature, art, music, theater, film, and dance.
The academy’s art division comprises 15 members whose works are featured in this exhibition: Oh Seoung Woo, Yoon Myeung Ro, Yoo Hee Young, Park Kwang Jin, Kim Souck Chin, and Chung Sang Hwa (Western painting), Lee Jong Sang (Korean painting), Choi Jong Tae, Um Tai Jung, and Choi Eui Soon (sculpture), Lee Shin Ja and Kang Chan Kyun (craft), Kwon Chang Ryun (calligraphy), and Yoon Seung Joong (architecture).

The event began with congratulatory remarks by Director Junghoon Kim of the Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. President Yoo, academy member Park, Consulate General Kwon, spouse of the ambassador to Turkey Incis Mercan, and President of the Han-Mee Artists Association of Greater Washington Jin Ho Cha also gave remarks.

"Art has no boundaries," said President Yoo. "As time changes, so does art, and art holds the power to converse with one another through works beyond language. Through this special exhibition in Washington, I hope that we can harmonize and move forward together through art. Through this exhibition, I hope more people will become more interested in Korean culture and art in the United States."  

After the remarks, President Yoo lead an exhibition tour and introduced the featured works. 

Spanning works of visual art, sculpture, architecture, craft, and calligraphy, this exhibition features diverse works by artists who have devoted themselves to advancing Korean modern art in its formative period through to today. Changes in Korean contemporary art reflect the dramatic national and societal changed that have transformed the Republic of Korea into one of the world’s largest economies and producers of cultural exports. Each of these featured artists, in their personal endeavors to transcend reality while reflecting changing times, therefore allow a deeper examination of the legitimacy and modernity of Korean art as a whole.

Celebrating 140 Years of Korea-US Ties: A Special Exhibition by the National Academy of Arts, Republic of Korea will remain on view from November 18, 2022 through January 15, 2023. No RSVP is required during regular visiting hours (M-F, 10 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 – 5:00 p.m.).