SEOUL

Museum DirectorChun Inkeon

During the era of Japanese imperial denigration and dismantling of Korean cultural tradition, Chun Hyungpil (Kansong) emerged as the guardian of artifacts embodying Korean cultural essence. Kansong, steadfast in his belief of Korea's eventual liberation, envisioned the restoration of Korean spirit and culture through these historical and spiritual testimonials. This conviction drove his lifelong dedication to collecting, preserving, and studying invaluable cultural artifacts. Kansong's life and spirit epitomize the munhwaboguk (preserving national spirit through culture) vision, advocated by his mentor, Oh Sechang (Wichang).

Bohwagak, established in 1938 as Korea's first private art museum, materialized Kansong's munhwaboguk vision. This unprecedented venture served as a sanctuary for collecting and preserving Korean cultural heritage. Kansong's acquisition of Posung School, grounded in Korean nationalist historiography and pivotal in the March 1st Movement, sustained Korea-centric education until liberation.

Kansong's legacy endures through his students and descendants. His unexpected demise in 1962 catalyzed the establishment of the Center for the Study of Korean Arts, initiating systematic research of his collection. Bohwagak's 1971 renaming to Kansong Art Museum marked the beginning of public exhibitions, commencing with 18th-century painter Jeong Seon (Gyeomjae).

For 42 years, Kansong Art Museum held 85 semiannual Kansong Munhwa exhibitions. Following the 2014 establishment of the Kansong Art and Culture Foundation, exhibitions transitioned to Dongdaemun Design Plaza, culminating in the 94th edition in 2024, titled Bohwagak 1938: Meeting Kansong's Treasures Anew.

The various steps taken by the Kansong Art Museum are part of its efforts to keep pace with a rapidly changing society and to accommodate Koreans’ needs and understanding. Another objective is to bring both the younger and older generations to a greater appreciation and enjoyment of the beauty and excellence of Korean culture and to help them take pride in their cultural heritage. Sharing Korea’s history and culture overseas to elevate and reinforce the status and position of Korean culture is another reason for the founding of the Kansong Art and Culture Foundation and a goal that we must pursue.

Going forward, the Kansong Art Museum will be diligent in its efforts to preserve, study and promote Korean culture. I think that is how we can uphold Kansong’s munhwaboguk vision of “preserving the national spirit through culture,” as well as the lifelong mission of his son (and my late father) Chun Sungwoo, former chair of the Kansong Art and Culture Foundation, to carry on his father’s life and vision. That, in my opinion, is also something we owe to all the Koreans who have supported both Kansong and the Kansong Art Museum. I hope we can continue to count on your enthusiastic interest and support in the years to come.