The National Academy of Arts of the Republic of Korea (Chairman Son Jin-chaek) said it will hold the "2026 National Academy of Arts Collection Exhibition" at the Academy's first-floor exhibition hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, starting May 13.
The exhibition will feature 66 works from the Academy's collection, including "Summer Landscape" (1942) by Chungok Ko Hui-dong, who served as the inaugural chairman when the Academy opened in 1954. Works by deceased members such as Kim Whan-ki, Chun Kyung-ja, Yoo Young-kuk, Oh Ji-ho and Suh Se-ok, as well as by current members including Jeon Roe-jin, Lee Shin-ja and Choi Jong-tae, will also be on view.
The exhibition marks the first public showing of several works, adding depth to the Academy's collection. These include "Bird and Moon" (1975) by sculptor Choi Eui-soon, "The Sound of Flowing Water" (2012) by ceramic artist Cho Jung-hyun, "Untitled" (2013) by Korean painter Lee Chul-joo, and "Autumn Lyricism — Andong" (2020) by Oh Yong-gil.
The National Academy of Arts, the highest-ranking institution in Korea's arts sector, has collected works of art-historical value from its fine arts division members each year since 1974, covering fields such as Korean painting, Western painting, sculpture, crafts, calligraphy and architecture. As of May 2026, the Academy holds a total of 140 works.
Since 2008, the Academy has opened its collection to art lovers and the general public through the "Academy Collection Exhibition," held biennially.
"It is a rare opportunity to encounter in one place the works of artists who are indispensable to Korea's modern and contemporary art history," an Academy official said. "We hope the artists' years of experience and passionate creative spirit will be conveyed to art lovers."
The exhibition runs through June 12. Viewing hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, with the gallery closed on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Admission is free.
