The 'Lee Kun-hee Collection,' which attracted 195,000 visitors in Washington, D.C., and Chicago, is now heading to Europe. The exhibition aims to broaden interest in K-culture, which has gained popularity through K-pop and films, by showcasing traditional Korean art at the British Museum, which holds a significant cultural heritage.
According to Samsung Electronics, the British Museum will host the special exhibition 'Korea: 2000 Years of Creativity' from today until January 31, 2027. The exhibition is a collaborative effort between the National Museum of Korea, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, and the British Museum.
The exhibition will feature a total of 100 pieces, primarily from the collection donated to the state by the late Lee Kun-hee, former chairman of Samsung. This includes 10 national treasures and 13 treasures, showcasing the evolution of Korean art over approximately 2,300 years, from ancient metalwork and Buddhist art to Goryeo celadon, Joseon paintings, and modern art.
Notably, artifacts that were not displayed during the U.S. tour, such as the bronze artifacts from Daegu's Bisandong and works like 'Magpie and Tiger' and Lee Jung-seop's 'Bound People,' will be shown for the first time. Additionally, previously highlighted pieces in the U.S., such as Jeong Seon's 'Inwangjesaekdo,' Kim Hong-do's 'Chuseongbudo,' and Baek Nam-sun's 'Paradise,' will be re-exhibited.
This exhibition marks the first large-scale special exhibition of Korean art at the British Museum since 'Korean Treasures: 5,000 Years of Art' in 1984. Since establishing a permanent Korean gallery in 2000, the British Museum has consistently introduced Korean culture and art.
Unlike the existing Korean gallery, which primarily focuses on works from after 300 AD, this special exhibition expands its scope to include pieces from around 300 BC to the present, highlighting the history and changes in Korean art through a separate large-scale exhibition.
The first overseas tour of the Lee Kun-hee Collection began in November 2022 in Washington, D.C., where approximately 80,000 people visited the exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of Asian Art. This was followed by an exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago from March to July 2023, which attracted 115,000 visitors.
The enthusiasm observed in the two U.S. cities raises anticipation about whether it will carry over to Europe. The British Museum is a world-renowned institution that attracts over 6 million visitors annually. This exhibition will be the first in Europe for the Lee Kun-hee Collection and serves as a significant platform for introducing traditional Korean art to European audiences.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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