Korean Art Galleries

LACMA has the largest Korean art galleries of any museum in the United States. On view now are spectacular examples of Korean paintings, ceramics, textiles, and Buddhist art. 

The ceramics span nearly 2,000 years of Korean history, from the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BCE–CE 668) to the present, while the paintings focus on works from the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897). Among the ceramics are excellent examples of Goryeo dynasty (918–1392) celadon wares, such as a Flower-shaped Cup Stand with Inlaid Flower Spray Design, dating to the 12th century. Also on view is one of LACMA’s finest Korean folding screens, depicting a banquet hosted by the ancient Daoist goddess Seowangmo (Xiwangmu), Queen Mother of the West, a personification of the cosmic yin (feminine) force in the yin-yang duality. The banquet takes place in glorious garden populated with both male and female Daoist immortals, and where even the Buddhist deity Ksitigarbha, bodhisattva of the underworld, makes an appearance accompanied by the Four Heavenly Guardian Kings.

The Korean art galleries are anticipated to close to the public on July 27, 2019 for collection inventory and packing. This work is in preparation for the construction of the new proposed building for the permanent collection designed by Peter Zumthor, which is expected to open by the end of 2023. A selection of the museum's Korean calligraphy holdings will be on view in Beyond Line: The Art of Korean Writing in the Resnick Pavilion from June 16 through September 29, 2019.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website