Discover the story of Korea’s distinctive and vibrant arts – from 300 BC to the present day.
Featuring outstanding examples of sculpture, painting and decorative arts over two millennia – up to the present day – the exhibition presents the most comprehensive chronological survey of Korean visual and material culture seen in Europe for over 40 years.
This major exhibition draws almost exclusively from the 23,000 works bequeathed in 2021 by the late Samsung Group Chairman Lee Kun-Hee to the National Museum of Korea (NMK) and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA). Spanning more than 2,000 years of Korean art and culture, the collection includes many objects designated as National Treasures or Treasures and is renowned for its exceptionally high quality.
From ancient gold body ornaments and Buddhist icons to 12th- and 13th-century celadon-glazed stoneware, evocative ink landscapes and contemporary works responding to the turbulence of the 20th century, the objects on display tell a panoramic story of the history of Korea. Originally created for settings including royal tombs and palaces, Buddhist temples, scholars’ studios, private homes and modern art spaces, most of the objects have never been seen in the UK before.
Links:
- Sang-ah Kim introduces the exhibition, exploring 2,000 years of Korean art and revealing how global connections have shaped Korea’s cultural identity today, on the British Museum blog, 8 June 2026