Luminary are invited to join Yeonsoo Chee, Korea Foundation Associate Curator of Korean Art, to uncover storied treasures spanning two millennia—from the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE–676 CE) through the 1900s.
Celebrating Korea’s artistic legacy and cultural heritage, Korean National Treasures: 2,000 Years of Art presents a stunning selection of paintings, ceramics and artifacts, 22 of which are officially distinguished as treasures by the Korean government for their exceptional historic and artistic value. These objects were privately collected by Lee Kun-Hee, late chairman of the Samsung Group, and now belong to the Korean people thanks to a single groundbreaking gift from his family.
Enjoy curatorial insights in Griffin Court and an intimate exhibition viewing, complemented by an open bar and light bites to cap off this evening of discovery.
This special evening is exclusively for Luminary members. We look forward to welcoming you after hours for a celebration of art, history, and inspiration. Registered guests will receive entry instructions in advance of the program.
about the curator
Yeonsoo Chee, a specialist in modern Korean painting and Joseon court art, joined the Art Institute of Chicago as the first curator of Korean art in 2020.
In her role at the Art Institute, she is working to grow the Korean art collection and programs to support the museum’s goal of representing the expanse of art across the Asian continent. In November 2024, she debuted a newly expanded gallery of Korean art. Previously, Yeonsoo spent over nine years as a curatorial leader of the USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, contributing to growing both the collection of and programming featuring Korean art as well as expanding the Korean Gallery. In 2017 she was recruited by the Korean government to be the curator and director of exhibitions and publicity at the National Palace Museum of Korea. Her publications include Selections from the Korean Art Collection at USC Pacific Asia Museum, National Palace Museum of Korea in Seven Themes, and Hyomyeong: Crown Prince and Patron of the Arts.
Yeonsoo holds a BA in English language and literature from Ewha Womans University, Korea, and a BA and a MA in art history from California State University Long Beach.
Contact Us
Interested in joining Luminary? Learn more about this dedicated community of art enthusiasts, and reach out to us at [email protected] or (312) 443-3735 to begin enjoying the benefits of membership—including exclusive opportunities with artists and curators, behind-the-scene tours, VIP tickets, and invitations to travel.
