Korean Traditional Painting in Alter-age: Pure and Hybrid
The Korean Cultural Centre UK (KCCUK), in collaboration with Ilmin Museum of Art, is pleased to present Korean Traditional Painting in Alter-age: Pure and Hybrid (26 June - 21 August 2026).
The exhibition centres on literati painting as a key strand of Korean traditional art, placing works from the Ilmin Museum of Art and Ilmin Cultural Foundation collections in dialogue with those of four contemporary painters: Jean Song, Choe Sooryeon, Choi Haeri, and Hwang Kyumin. Masterpieces spanning the late Joseon Dynasty through the twentieth century intersect with works by younger artists who draw on the traditional methods of copying (mo, 模), studying and imitating (im, 臨), and adapting (bang, 倣). Through this encounter, past examples and present adaptations reflect one another, opening a renewed inquiry into the meaning and identity of Hangukhwa.
Literati painting emerged from the spirit of the seonbi (“scholar”), rooted in reflection, self-cultivation, and artistic discipline. Traditionally, artists developed their practice through the methods of copying (mo, 模), studying and imitating (im, 臨), and adapting (bang, 倣). The four contemporary artists in the exhibition revisit these approaches in different ways, bringing historical forms and techniques into conversation with contemporary perspectives and materials.
The term Hangukhwa itself carries significant weight. Under Japanese colonial rule, Korean art was institutionalised under the label "Oriental Painting." Emerging after liberation, Hangukhwa represented a yearning for decolonised identity - yet rather than asserting a single, pure origin, the concept has evolved to accommodate diverse perspectives in dialogue with contemporary art. The subtitle "Pure and Hybrid" points to the structure through which tradition as a cultural system evolves over time. For these four artists, the gap between purity and hybridity becomes a condition for creation: their works move between close adherence to traditional principles and moments in which those principles are transformed through contemporary experiences and cross-cultural influences.
Alongside the exhibition, Ways of Seeing, a public programme series developed by curator Jaemin Cha, will offer audiences new ways of engaging with Korean painting beyond the gallery walls. Through private view (Thursday, 25 June), workshops, conversations and weekly tours, the series invites audiences to encounter Korean painting not only as a historical tradition, but as a living practice that continues to resonate today.
Contemporary Artists: Jean Song, Choe Sooryeon, Choi Haeri, Hwang Kyumin
Historical Collections (Ilmin Museum of Art and Ilmin Cultural Foundation):
Jeong Seon, Yi Gwangsa, Kang Sehwang, Kim Jeonghui, Jang Seungeop, An Jungsik, Lee Sangbeom, No Soohyeon, Pak Nosoo
This exhibition is co-organised by the Korean Cultural Centre UK, the Korean Cultural Center to Belgium & the EU, and Ilmin Museum of Art, with support from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, Arts Council Korea, and Hyundai Sungwoo Holdings. The exhibition will travel to the Korean Cultural Center to Belgium & the EU from 17 September to 13 November 2026.
Notes to Editors
About the Korean Cultural Centre UK
The Korean Cultural Centre UK, opened under the aegis of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the United Kingdom, aims to enhance friendship, amity, and understanding between Korea and the UK through cultural and educational activities. From the KCCUK's central London location near Trafalgar Square, our dedicated team works to expand cultural projects, strengthen cooperation with major arts organisations and partners, and encourage cultural exchange.
About the Ilmin Museum of Art
Located in front of the cultural geographical symbol of Korea, the Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, Ilmin Museum of Art has been conducting various exhibitions since its opening in 1996 with the belief that artistic practice enriches life. While playing a pivotal role in reading the trends of today’s art, the museum has been active as a Contemporary art institution attracting attention from both domestic and international art scenes.
Exhibition Details
Title: Korean Traditional Painting in Alter-age: Pure and Hybrid
Dates: 26 June – 21 August 2026
Private View: 25 June 2026, 6 - 8pm
Address: Korean Cultural Centre UK, Grand Buildings, 1–3 Strand, London, WC2N 5BW (Entrance on Northumberland Avenue)
Telephone:+44 (0)20 7004 2600
Website:https://kccuk.org.uk/en/
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday, 10am – 5.30pm, Free Admission
Press Kit and Image Assets: Link