The Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles (KCCLA) and the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art successfully organized a special lecture focusing on the exhibition "Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared" on Tuesday, November 18 at 11:00 a.m. The event took place in Ari Hall on the third floor of the Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles, drawing significant attention from the local Korean American cultural community.
More than 60 distinguished guests from the Korean American cultural and arts community attended the lecture. Notable attendees included Chase Robinson, Director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art; Sunwoo Hwang, Assistant Curator of Korean Art and Culture; and Virginia Moon, Associate Curator of Korean Art at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). The event was organized under the leadership of Haedon Lee, Director of the Korean Cultural Center Los Angeles.
During his presentation, Director Robinson highlighted the exceptional significance of the exhibition, emphasizing that it represents one of the largest Korean art projects recently presented in the United States. He expressed particular enthusiasm about introducing this comprehensive collection to the Korean American community in Los Angeles, noting the growing global interest in Korean artistic traditions and contemporary cultural expressions.
"Global interest in Korean art is growing rapidly, and the National Museum of Asian Art looks forward to collaborating with more communities and expanding Korean art and culture programs through close partnerships with the Korean American community in Los Angeles," Director Robinson stated during the lecture.
Assistant Curator Sunwoo Hwang provided attendees with a comprehensive overview of the exhibition's planning process, thematic structure, and featured artworks. Her detailed presentation offered guests a deeper understanding of the show's curatorial approach and the significance of the pieces included in the Lee Kun-hee Collection, helping attendees appreciate the cultural and historical importance of the displayed works.
The exhibition "Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared" is currently on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C., and will remain open to the public through February 1, 2026. This extended exhibition period allows visitors ample opportunity to experience this remarkable collection of Korean artistic treasures and cultural artifacts.
