The People’s Treasures: Sharing Korea’s Cultural Heritage
Yeonsoo Chee | Art Institute Chicago | 10th March 2026
Korea’s Lee family, who founded Samsung, assembled an art collection so vast that it outshone the national collection. Much has now been transferred to public ownership and selected pieces are on show in Chicago. The oldest pieces are essentially Buddhist art, made for religious purposes. Later work – notably celadon ceramics – from the Josean dynasty (1392 – 1910) reflect Confucian beliefs. After the fall of the Josean dynasty, contemporary art has emerged in response to Western ideas. A video is here.