Undoubtedly one of the most outstanding and enduring exhibitions held in South Korea over the past year, the ‘Lee Kun-hee Collection’ exhibition was generously donated by the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee of the Samsung Group in April 2021.

This momentous event, showcasing an extensive and impactful collection donated by an individual within the domestic art scene, was nothing short of remarkable. The showcased artworks will continue to embark on a nationwide tour, with scheduled exhibitions even in 2024.

At this juncture, MMCA (the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) has underscored the art historical significance of the entire donated collection by publishing a comprehensive catalog on the 27th of the last month. The ‘Lee Kun-hee Collection’ comprises approximately 83% of two-dimensional works, including paintings, prints, and drawings, while sculptures, crafts, photography, and new media constitute the remaining 17%. The catalog lists a total of 266 artists, including international figures, and the number of artworks increased from the initial 1488 pieces to a final count of 1494 as a few works were independently classified during the sorting process.

The catalog spans a total of 900 pages and is organized into three sections. The first section covers domestic artworks, and the second section focuses on international works, featuring scholarly manuscripts alongside illustrations introducing the works by artists. The third section serves as an appendix, arranging artists and works alphabetically by the artist’s name and categorizing the artwork list by genre.

The catalog is a non-commercial publication and is available for review at MMCA library. Furthermore, in January 2024, a PDF version will be made available on the museum’s online platform, providing everyone with access and explore its contents.”

References

• 국립현대미술관(MMCA)