Resources+for+Learning+about+Art+in+Korea

General Resources
Akive [] Akive is a non-profit on line archiving project to establish an extensive digital archive of Korean contemporary art. The site offers the list of Korean contemporary artists and their biography with images of their artworks.

Cornell University Library Asia Collection [] This guide has a lot of links to helpful websites with information about both South Korea and North Korea.

Country Study: North Korea [] Library of Congress Country Study of North Korea sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Army.

ERA Book [] This is an online journal published by art critics since 1996. The site provides access to full text, forum and useful links. It is written in Korean.

Democratic People’s Rebublic of Korea. [] An Official website of DPR Korea.

Korean Artist Project [] Supported by the Korean Art Museum Association, the website provides excellent directory of contemporary artists, their profile and artworks. The site also offers virtual exhibitions and news in Korean Art scene. Text is in English.

Korean Art Society [] The Only English-Language Periodical in the World on Korean Art.

Korea.net [] Official Website of the Republic of Korea.

Metropolitan Museum of Art [] The Metropolitan Museum of Art downloadable book on the history of Korean art.

Art Encyclopedia [] This website has the History of Characteristics of Arts and Crafts in Korea.

Korean Art Wikipedia [] Wikipedia entry on the history of Korean art.

Museums
National Museum of Korea [] Visitors to the museum can understand and appreciate Korean history and culture through diverse experiences, events, and exhibitions. Our permanent collection offers a fascinating journey through thousands of years of history, from simple hand axes of the Paleolithic Age, to a splendid gold crown from the Three Kingdoms Period, exquisite celadon from the Goryeo Dynasty, masterful paintings from the Joseon Dynasty, and photographs from modern times. By immersing themselves in such captivating artifacts and artworks, visitors will understand the deep national pride that Koreans feel for their unique culture. -From the Director’s general message

D Museum [] Located in Yongsan in what was Hannam-dong at 5-6, Dokseodang-ro 29-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Exhibition focus on photography and design usually. -website is weird and wasn't loading. Found this description from a different website.

Gangsong Museum of Art [] In Seongbuk-dong, Korea's first private art museum, was founded in 1938 by Jeon Hyeong-pil, a wealthy art collector. The museum is home to many of Korea's national art treasures, it is only open twice a year - in May and October. -found this description off a different website. Whole website is in Korean.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art [] Since opening its door in 1969, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA), Korea has lived through the history of Korean art. In the process, MMCA established itself as a representative institution of Korean modern art. Boasting a superb natural landscape surrounding the site, MMCA Gwacheon will be devoted to various genres of visual arts such as architecture, design, and crafts. Located within a historical site, MMCA Deoksugung will showcase modern art from Korea and overseas. In the heart of the city, MMCA Seoul will focus on introducing global contemporary art. With its up-to-date art storage facility, MMCA Cheongju will fulfill the museum’s primary duty to collect, preserve, study, exhibit, and educate. Through its various locations, MMCA intends to function as a cultural platform that encourages communication and cross-pollination of contemporary art with other various disciplines of art, science, and humanities. -Pulled from Director's Letter

National Palace Museum of Korea [] The National Palace Museum of Korea is specialized for the Joseon royal and Korean imperial court artifacts where it promotes and preserves the culture of the Joseon Royal and Korean imperial court by collecting, conserving, researching and exhibiting the related relics. The museum also plays its role as a culturally core place within Gyeongbokgung in downtown Seoul. A variety of stories related to the Joseon royal palaces and tombs as well as over 45,000 collections are waiting for all of you. The museum also regularly offers Korean traditional performances. -From Director’s Letter

The Savina Museum of Contemporary Art [] Savina Museum of Contemporary Art was founded as Gallery Savina in March 1996, and originally located in Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul. Gallery Savina advocated the curatorial researches and led many successful theme-focused exhibitions such as “Interpretation of Humans” (1996), “Animals in Art” (1996), “Night Scenes” (1996), “Textbook Art” (1997), “Kiss” (1998), ”Landscape of Water” (1998), “Weather Forecast” (2000), “Looking Seasonal Customs Through Paintings” (2000). The gallery's dedication to focus on curatorial practices set a rare example and became one of the leading galleries in South Korea.

Galleries
Gana Art Center [] Pyeongchang in northern Seoul is home to some of Korea’s oldest and most influential galleries. Among them is [|Gana Art], a modern complex designed by celebrated architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Founded in 1983, Gana Art has presented over 400 exhibitions of Korean and international art over its lengthy history, including prominent artists such as Pierre Alechinsky, Roy Lichtenstein and Joan Miro.

Jeju Museum of Art [] Surrounded by the beautiful and pristine nature of [|Jeju Island], the [|Jeju Museum of Art] is the epicenter of the region’s art. The building itself reflects the local culture, colors and sounds of the island, while its historical and contemporary works are sure to inspire art enthusiasts. Of particular interest is the Chang Ree-suok Hall, which displays more than 100 artworks created by the well-known Korean artist Chang Ree-suok.

Gallery Yeh [] With its striking modernist architectural shell, [|Gallery Yeh] is an iconic landmark in Seoul’s ritzy [|Gangnam district]. Established in 1978 and reopened in 1982, it led to the transformation of the Sinsa-dong neighborhood into a dynamic cultural center. The gallery has also played a significant role in bridging the gap between Korea’s capital and the wider art world, featuring the works of celebrated artists such as Raphael Soto and Alberto Giacometti, as well as representing Korean masters such as Ku Pon-ung, Kwon Ok-yeon and Kim Hwan-gi around the globe.

Johyun Gallery [] Founded in 1990, the [|Johyun Gallery] (formerly known as Gallery World) is one of Busan’s premier art galleries. Johyun represents many well-known Korean and international contemporary artists such as Nam June Paik, Julian Opie and Georges Rousse.

Artside Gallery [] Notable for its focus on contemporary Chinese art, [|Artside Gallery] has been a leader in the artistic exchange between Korea and China, and has garnered international attention for hosting the first solo exhibition of artist Zhang Xiaogang in the country. In 2007, Artside opened a gallery space in [|Beijing], and in 2010 relocated its Seoul gallery to Hyoja-dong. Despite its expansion, the gallery’s vision remains the same – to present the best in Chinese and Asian avant-garde as a way to encourage understanding and creativity across Asian art.

Wooyang Museum of Contemporary Art [] Located in Gyeongju’s Bomun Tourist Complex, [|Wooyang Museum of Contemporary Art] is a private gallery that houses a number of collections of major modern and contemporary artists. Some 450 pieces of European and American sculptures, paintings, and photographs from the 1960s, in addition to noteworthy collections of Korean modernist art from the 1970s, are displayed for the viewing pleasure of the museum’s visitors. Various lectures and exhibitions are regularly held here, making this museum a major cultural hub in the local community.

Leeum – Samsung Museum of Art [] Perhaps the most powerful and undoubtedly the most famous private gallery in Seoul, [|Leeum] is a must-visit for anyone interested in art. Directed by Hong Ra-hee, wife of Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee, Leeum is a center of Korean and world art. Designed by celebrated architects Mario Botta, Jean Nouvel and Rem Koolhaas, the museum’s architecture reflects the collection’s interplay between past and present. Dedicate at least an afternoon to explore dedicated areas displaying Korean traditional art, international contemporary art, and special exhibitions.

Soohohrom Busan Gallery A-611 Zenith Square, 1407 U-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea, +82 51 744 8555 Soohohrom Busan Gallery is a small but noteworthy gallery that highlights various selections of contemporary art, running the gamut from big-name artists to rising young talent. Featured overseas artists include Michael Craig-Martin, [|Damien Hirst] and Gaby Berglund Cardenas. The gallery has also exhibited the work of Jung Kang-ja, one of Korea’s first avant-garde artists to pioneer performance in art, organizing [|the first nude happening in Asia] in 1968.

Gallery FACTORY [] Situated in Hyoja-dong to the west of Gyeongbokgung Palace, is Gallery FACTORY, a small but punchy avant-garde space that has established itself as a steadfast presence in Seoul’s evolving art scene. The gallery encourages community participation through workshops and lectures, as well as by engaging in art consultation, public art projects, publications and international exchange programs. If you’re looking to discover the experimental work of up-and-coming artists based in Korea, Gallery FACTORY is certainly the place to do it.

Ungno Lee Museum of Art [] Designed by French architect Laurent Beaudouin, the quaint white structure that is the Ungno Lee Museum of Art was built to commemorate the work of the artist Goam Ungno Lee (1904-1989), who devoted his life to the modernization and globalization of Korean tradition through architecture. Goam’s work, which epitomizes the harmony between East and West, is distributed throughout four halls, which seem to flow together in one continual, unified space.

Brain Factory [] Established in 2003, the small yet intimate Brain Factory is a non-profit exhibition space committed to promoting Korean contemporary art and artists. In addition, the gallery functions as an open studio for young artists to cultivate their creativity and confidence through a selection of classes and programs. Exhibits, which range from sculpture to photography, change consistently and guests are encouraged to browse the works on display at their own pace.

Banana Long Gallery [] With its unmistakable yellow wooden exterior, Banana Long Gallery is one of the quirkiest and most charming galleries in all of Busan. Located in the famed art district of Haeuandae’s Dalmaji Hill – sometimes referred to as Montmartre of Busan – this atmospheric space has become a delightful landmark for locals and tourists alike since it opened its doors in 2008. Within its yellow walls, the gallery specializes in introducing and supporting emerging artists, and hosting diverse exhibitions.

Daegu Art Museum [] With an aim to promote [|Daegu] art’s advancement, the [|Daegu Art Museum] presents exhibitions that introduce the social and artistic issues of the times, and illustrate the leading trends in both domestic and international art scenes. Rotating exhibitions include works that cover a wide range of mediums from contemporary sculpture to more classical painting styles. Academic programs and lectures led by renowned professors are also offered to visitors of all ages, while concerts and holiday events aim to bring the Daegu community together through art.

Exhibitions & Collections
The Metropolitan Museum of Art [] [] This museum has an extensive permanent collection of Korean artwork, which they have been collecting since 1893, but has grown considerably in recent years. They also recently in 2016 a special exhibition of Korean Art, Splendors of Korean Art, which was sponsored by the Korean government in an effort to spread Korean arts around the world. The Met’s website has photographs and details on all of the works in their collection.

Time Out Seoul [] Cultural website that lists current and upcoming art exhibitions and cultural events in Seoul. Some exhibitions have extensive reviews while others have brief summaries.

Korea.net [] This website is run by the Korean government to promote Korea online. They have an entire section dedicated to current art exhibitions in Korea, with summaries of each exhibition, details on the event, and links to websites if available.

Korean Eye [] Korean Eye was a 2012 exhibition of 33 contemporary Korean artists that was shown in London, New York, Abu Dhabi, and Seoul. The website has information on all the artists and photographs of their work.

The Cleveland Museum of Art [] The Cleveland Museum of Art has one of the most extensive collections of Korean art in the United States. Their website includes photos and information on all the pieces in their collection.

Paradox of Place: Contemporary Korean Art [] In 2015, the Seattle Museum of Art held a major exhibition of contemporary Korean artwork. The website includes details of the artists that participated as well as photographs.

Victoria and Albert Museum [] The V&A Museum in London has the first gallery that was dedicated to Korean art in the United Kingdom, which was sponsored in a large part by Samsung. They make a point of having a cultural exchange with Korea, and share exhibitions with them as well as take on an artist in residence from Korea. They also notably have both antique and contemporary Korean work in their collection. Their website includes photographs and brief information on the work in their collection.

Newark Museum [] The Newark Museum has an extensive collection of Korean art ranging from ancient to contemporary. Their website includes an image gallery of the work in their collection, a link to their entire collection catalog as a PDF, and a lesson plan for students.

Organisations
Arts Council Korea (ARKO) [] As the nation’s largest funding agency for artists, ARKO’s mission and their facilities are geared towards not only helping artists have access to the resources and spaces they need to excel, but also spreading art through journals and magazines, in museums and in public writing workshops so that Koreans have access to the contemporary arts.

The Korean Art Museum Association [| https://www.google.com/culturalinstitute/beta/partner/korean-art-museum-association] “The Korean Art Museum Association, a non-profit organization, is committed to developing and contributing to Korean arts and culture. Since its inception in 2005, the Association has been striving to nurture around hundred member museums through a wide variety of resources programs and projects.” Their most notable project is the Korean Artist Project (KAP). Working on a global online platform, this helps to give an audience to many Korean Artists. Developers working on the project have created virtual galleries, video interviews, and a digital archive. More can be found on the Association site above, and on [| www.koreanartistproject.com].

Korea Arts and Education Services (KACES) [] KACES was founded in 2005 so that the “all Koreans are able to receive arts and culture education in their daily lives”. KACES has a wonderful set of programs that are broken up into sectors of In School projects, In The Community projects, and In Society projects. These different sectors of work are all devoted to the idea that everybody’s lives can be enriched with the knowledge and exposure to art and culture.

Mansudae Art Studio [] Mansudae Art Studio is an organization that was founded in Pyongyang in the DPRK in 1959 to help provide a unique place where artists can come and work professionally in one of their many facilities in Pyongyang. This company provides a place where the rest of the world can see, and purchase, works from individuals from the DPRK. The organization helps facilitate exhibitions and functions so that the works can have a public center in which to be viewed. Since their development the company has developed an overseas project group that holds positions for Mansudae in places like Africa, China, and other Asian nations.

Art Schools
Seoul Performing Arts School [] The school was founded in 1966 and focuses on a variety of artistic genres. They have a school department for Theater & Film, Theater Arts, Broadcasting Arts, Practical Musical, Practical Dancing, and Stage Arts. It is a religious art school that aims to bring up performers who acknowledge God.

Seoul Arts High School [] This school was founded in 1953. They have courses in Music, Dance, and Art. They focus on wanting to cultivate mature artists who have the ability to communicate and communicate knowledge based on creativity and self-management ability, and the right democratic citizenship.

Lira Art High School [] This school was founded in 1952 and focuses its education on Digital Sound, Computer and Media, Health Science and Visual and Music. They provide schooling and after school programs to help further the knowledge for its students.

Korea National University of Arts [] This university was founded in 1990 and focuses its students on multiple fields of study in the art community. They strive to have their students succeed and to have them fulfill their full potential.

Artists
Xooang Choi [] Xooang Choi was born in 1975 in Seoul, South Korea. In 2005 he received his MFA in sculpture from Seoul National University. He creates surreal figurative sculptures that touch on many social issues.

Jung Lee [] Jung Lee is a South Korean photographer, currently based in Seoul. Her work focuses on words in neon lights, and address limitations in language.

Lee Bul [] Lee Bul is a South Korean artist. She is known not only for her sculptures, but also for her drawings, painting, performance art, video, and installations.

Il Lee [] Ill Lee is a Korean American contemporary artist, who has been living in the US since the 1970s. He is most known for his large scale, abstract ballpoint pen drawings.

Jeongmoon Choi [] Jeongmoon Choi was born in Seoul, South Korea. She currently is based in Berlin, Germany. She works with UV-reflective threads to create her large scale installation art.

Ham Jin [] Ham Jin was born in 1978 and currently lives in Seoul, South Korea. He is most well known for his small scale clay figures and sculptures.

JeeYoung Lee [] JeeYoung Lee is an artist who creates and photographs dreamlike scenes. Her artwork is extremely detailed and never uses photoshop.

Hong Sung Chul [] Hong Sung Chul is a Seoul based artist. He incorporates photography, sculpture, printmaking and technology in his mixed media work, often inspired by the human body as the subject.

Je Baak [] Je Baak is an installation and video artist. His work is inspired by Buddhism and attempts to give viewers a new way of seeing the everyday.

Do-ho Suh [] [] Do-ho Suh is a sculptor and installation artist who was born in Seoul in 1962. His sculptures challenge ideas of scale and site-specificity.

Bae Yong-kyun [] Bae Yong-kyun lives and works in South Korea. He is a painter, film director, and art professor.

U-Ram Choe [] [] U-Ram Choe lives and works in Seoul, Korea. He earned his BFA and MFA from Chungang University in Seoul. His detailed sculptures are inspired by natural forms and often have moving parts.

Sung Hwan Kim [] [] Sung Hwan Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1975. He now lives and works in New York. In his work he combines illustrations, light, and performance art.

Haegue Yang [] [] Haegue Yang was born in 1971 in South Korea. She works and lives in both Berlin and Seoul. She is a site-specific installation artist who creates multi-sensory experiences and draws inspiration from everyday objects.

Lee Dong-Youb [] Lee Dong-Youb is a contemporary South Korean painter. He is considered to be one of the leading artists in the abstract painting movement in Korea.

Podcasts & Videos
The Culture and Arts of Korea and Early Japan by Asia Art Museum [] This podcast is chronologically styled and covers most of Korean art. The podcast has visuals and images of artwork talked about.

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Korea Youtube Channel [] This site has short videos on exhibitions, interviews, and performance art/film, all dealing with art and artists that the museum exhibits.

Korean Contemporary Artist | Kim Byung Joo 김병주 [] This is a short clip about Kim Byung Joo’s work.

The Meditative, Witty Art of Korea's Ahn Kyuchul | Brilliant Ideas Ep. 25 [] This is a 25 Minute clip about Ahn Kyuchul’s art and philosophy as part of the Brilliant Ideas series.

Houston PBS - Korean Art [] Video introducing Americans to Korean art and talking about how their style is created.

Asian Art Museum- Korean Buddhist Art [] Video about traditional Buddhist art being made in modern times.