The High Museum of Art in Atlanta is hosting the first American museum exhibition dedicated to Kim Chong Hak, a South Korean master painter born in 1937 and known as "the painter of Seoraksan." Featuring over 70 works, including new acquisitions from the museum's own collection, the show spans the artist's mature career and highlights an aspect of late 20th-century Korean art rarely seen outside South Korea. The exhibition runs through November 2, 2025.
This exhibition matters because it introduces a significant but internationally under-recognized Korean artist to American audiences, expanding the narrative of modern Korean art beyond its borders. By showcasing Kim Chong Hak's deep connection to the natural landscape of Seoraksan, the High Museum also contributes to a broader understanding of how Korean painters engaged with tradition and nature during a period of rapid modernization.