Kang Collection showcases classic and contemporary masterpieces of Korean art, including ink, court, Buddhist, and folk painting, during Asia week

“Greatest Hits of Korean Art” will feature the finest example of orchid painting by Prince Regent Yi Ha-ung (Dae won gun). Father of King Kojong, Prince Yi (1820-1898) was best known for his exquisite orchid paintings, in which he specialized for over 60 years. His paintings were sought after by nobility during his lifetime through the present, and are collected in: every museum in Korea as well as in the U.S.’s Arthur M. Sackler Museum.

Two outstanding orchids and rocks paintings by the great 19th-century ink painter Jeong Hakkyo (1832 -1914) will also be presented. Jeong Hakkyo’s works are collected by major Korean museums, and by the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco and Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Also included are works by several more distinguished 19th-century artists:
• Grapevine painting by Choe Seokhwan (b. 1808 - ?)
• bamboo paintings by famous late-Joseon (1392-1910) literati painters:
Gim Gyu-jin [Haegang] (1868–1933)
Yun Yong-gu (1852-1914)

Examples of chae saek hwa [“colored painting” — including court, Buddhist, and folk paintings] include a 19th-century Mountain God with Tiger, a Painted Spirit House, which was used in traditional ancestor worship rituals, and Chaekkori (scholar’s book piles and elegant accoutrements), a genre unique to Korean art.

Also included is a very important large mother-of-pearl inlaid lacquer garment box, dated to 1840-1850, featuring auspicious symbols of long Life and prosperity, such as Cranes, Immortal Peaches, Peonies, Phoenixes, Clouds, and the Chinese character “Shuang xi” [double happiness].

Representing contemporary greats is Kang Ik-Joong (b. 1960) whose famous Moon Jars and Happy World paintings will be exhibited, as well as paintings from his brand-new Mountain/Wind Series.

About Kang Collection
Known mostly to museums and major collectors, this exclusive gallery of Korean paintings, antiquities, and contemporary art offers one of the finest, diverse collections of Korean art outside of Korea, from ancient earthenware and literati screens to contemporary paintings. Gallery founder Keum Ja Kang received her M.A. in Far-Eastern Art History from Columbia University where she completed her thesis Korea’s Three-Kingdom Period; she holds a B.A. in Western Art History. Works from Kang Collection can now be found at almost every major U.S. museum with a significant Asian art collection, including among many others, The Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, The Arthur M. Sackler Museum at Harvard University, The British Museum, The Cleveland Museum of Art, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Peabody-Essex Museum, The Philadelphia Museum of Art, The Seattle Museum, MFA Houston, and The Victoria & Albert Museum.