A World of Paintings: On the Lee Kun-hee Collection
A World of Paintings: On the Lee Kun-hee Collection focuses on painting, the medium with the longest history in fine art, by tracing the journey of eight artists from the Lee Kun-hee Collection who sought what only paintings could express amid the tumultuous modern and contemporary history of Korea. This exhibition takes as its starting point 36 works from the Lee Kun-hee Collection, donated to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) and regional museums in 2021, as well as pieces from the collection of the Leeum Museum of Art. It also incorporates 24 additional works from the Seoul Museum of Art, other public and private museums, galleries, and private collections, allowing for a deeper understanding of each artist鈥檚 body of work.
Painting, as a form of fine art, is a two-dimensional practice based on the act of depicting shapes and layering colors. In contemporary art, where different disciplines intermingle and media continuously expand, traditional painting might seem like a thing of the past. And yet that is the unique characteristic that makes painting what it is and the very source of its vitality, allowing it to breathe and come alive. For the eight artists included in this exhibition, all of whom were born between 1912 and 1952, art has always been synonymous with painting for them. This exhibition explores three main themes based on distinctive qualities of painting: 鈥淎ppearance, Scenes, and Nature,鈥� 鈥淐olor Is Alive,鈥� and 鈥淭he Act of Spiritual Practice through Materials.鈥�
The title of the exhibition, A World of Paintings, is borrowed from Lee Insung, a key figure in Korea's modern art scene, who metaphorically described painting as 鈥渁 special world that represents the aesthetic consciousness of the artist.鈥� It implies the intention to explore the ultimate world that artists sought to reach through painting. Further to that, and inspired by participating artist Kang Yobae鈥檚 belief that the term 鈥減ainting鈥� is insufficient to express the profound meaning of painting鈥昬ncompassing both the act of drawing and coloring and the sentiment of 鈥渓onging鈥� in the Korean language鈥晅his exhibition delves into the eight artists鈥� hearts and aspirations, which are deeply embedded in their works and lives.
These eight artists lived through an incredibly difficult period of Korean history, from the Japanese colonial period to the Korean War and national division, followed by post-war turmoil. Being a painter during these years was never easy. In times when it was difficult to even imagine a bright future, the act of painting stemmed from the desperation brought on by each individual鈥檚 circumstances. For them, painting was both the very essence of unrestrained freedom and a path in pursuit of beauty. It was also a dream and a utopia that they strived to reach while delving into their inner selves.
Although these artists accepted Western modern and contemporary art directly or indirectly as a stylistic tool, they continuously sought ways to express their own identities and narratives, ultimately constructing unique bodies of work. We hope this exhibition offers an opportunity to experience the vast horizons of painting through these individuals鈥� artworks, all of which, taken together, encompass the three themes of the exhibition. Additionally, we hope it allows for a rediscovery of their artistic language and messages, which remain extremely relevant today.
Recommended for you
A World of Paintings: On the Lee Kun-hee Collection focuses on painting, the medium with the longest history in fine art, by tracing the journey of eight artists from the Lee Kun-hee Collection who sought what only paintings could express amid the tumultuous modern and contemporary history of Korea. This exhibition takes as its starting point 36 works from the Lee Kun-hee Collection, donated to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) and regional museums in 2021, as well as pieces from the collection of the Leeum Museum of Art. It also incorporates 24 additional works from the Seoul Museum of Art, other public and private museums, galleries, and private collections, allowing for a deeper understanding of each artist鈥檚 body of work.
Painting, as a form of fine art, is a two-dimensional practice based on the act of depicting shapes and layering colors. In contemporary art, where different disciplines intermingle and media continuously expand, traditional painting might seem like a thing of the past. And yet that is the unique characteristic that makes painting what it is and the very source of its vitality, allowing it to breathe and come alive. For the eight artists included in this exhibition, all of whom were born between 1912 and 1952, art has always been synonymous with painting for them. This exhibition explores three main themes based on distinctive qualities of painting: 鈥淎ppearance, Scenes, and Nature,鈥� 鈥淐olor Is Alive,鈥� and 鈥淭he Act of Spiritual Practice through Materials.鈥�
The title of the exhibition, A World of Paintings, is borrowed from Lee Insung, a key figure in Korea's modern art scene, who metaphorically described painting as 鈥渁 special world that represents the aesthetic consciousness of the artist.鈥� It implies the intention to explore the ultimate world that artists sought to reach through painting. Further to that, and inspired by participating artist Kang Yobae鈥檚 belief that the term 鈥減ainting鈥� is insufficient to express the profound meaning of painting鈥昬ncompassing both the act of drawing and coloring and the sentiment of 鈥渓onging鈥� in the Korean language鈥晅his exhibition delves into the eight artists鈥� hearts and aspirations, which are deeply embedded in their works and lives.
These eight artists lived through an incredibly difficult period of Korean history, from the Japanese colonial period to the Korean War and national division, followed by post-war turmoil. Being a painter during these years was never easy. In times when it was difficult to even imagine a bright future, the act of painting stemmed from the desperation brought on by each individual鈥檚 circumstances. For them, painting was both the very essence of unrestrained freedom and a path in pursuit of beauty. It was also a dream and a utopia that they strived to reach while delving into their inner selves.
Although these artists accepted Western modern and contemporary art directly or indirectly as a stylistic tool, they continuously sought ways to express their own identities and narratives, ultimately constructing unique bodies of work. We hope this exhibition offers an opportunity to experience the vast horizons of painting through these individuals鈥� artworks, all of which, taken together, encompass the three themes of the exhibition. Additionally, we hope it allows for a rediscovery of their artistic language and messages, which remain extremely relevant today.
Artists on show
What's on nearby
