jasdooit

The official event for the overseas tour of the “Lee Kun-hee Collection,” a donation collection from the late Chairman of the Samsung Group, took place on the 17th at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA) in Washington, D.C. This exhibition showcases 172 items and 297 pieces from the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, including 7 National Treasures and 15 other significant artifacts. It marks the largest Korean art special exhibition in North America in more than 40 years. Around 200 guests, such as Ambassador to the U.S. Kang Kyung-wha, NMAA Director Chase F. Robinson, former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Kathleen Stephens, and representatives from the U.S. Congress and State Department, were present at the event. Although the exhibition started earlier this month, the ceremony was delayed due to the U.S. federal government shutdown, but over 15,000 visitors have already attended.

The exhibition is called *Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared*. The display is organized into thematic areas such as royal art, Buddhist art, Korean ceramics, and paintings from the Joseon period. Jeong Seon’s *Inwangjesakdo*, which shows the moisture on the rocks of Mount Inwang following summer rains and the mist rising from a valley, along with Kim Hong-do’s *Chuseongbudo*, have received the most interest, although they will only be shown to the public for approximately six weeks until now due to safety concerns.

In his message of appreciation, Director Robinson said, “This exhibition is a reflection of the focus, commitment, and support provided by our museum’s partners and donors,” and described it as “the most important event in Korean art exhibitions in North America during the last ten years.” The NMAA, which appointed its first Korean curator in its 100-year history last year with assistance from the Korea Foundation (KF), also has a unique link to Korea, as artist Do Ho Suh’s installation *Public Figures* has been featured in the front courtyard for five years.

Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha stated, “It is uncommon to witness Korean cultural treasures being showcased so effectively overseas by Koreans,” and noted, “Every time I meet diplomats, government representatives, and local leaders from other nations in Washington, D.C., I promote this exhibition and strongly advise them to visit it in person.”

The Washington, D.C., showcase will continue until February 1 of the following year, after which it will be displayed in sequence at the Art Institute of Chicago and the British Museum.