The Lee Kun-hee Collection, including the National Treasure "Celadon Jar with Inlaid Peony Design," is coming to Uiryeong, South Gyeongsang Province. Uiryeong County will hold the special exhibition "National Treasure Touring Exhibition: Treasures Met in Our Neighborhood" at the second exhibition hall of the Righteous Army Museum from the 10th of this month through August 9.
According to the county on Tuesday, the exhibition, co-organized by the Righteous Army Museum and the Jinju National Museum, is themed "Flowers Blooming on Ceramics: Inlaid Celadon." A total of six cultural heritage pieces will be unveiled, including the National Treasure "Celadon Jar with Inlaid Peony Design" and artifacts from the Lee Kun-hee Collection donated by the late Chairman Lee Kun-hee.
The exhibition is part of the National Treasure Touring Exhibition project promoted by the National Museum of Korea. The initiative aims to make cultural heritage, which has been concentrated in the Seoul metropolitan area, accessible in regional areas as well. The exhibition holds added significance as it presents the Lee Kun-hee Collection in Uiryeong, the hometown of Samsung founder Chairman Lee Byung-chull, also known by his pen name Hoam.
Inlaid celadon is a representative ceramic of the Goryeo Dynasty, made by carving patterns into the surface of pottery, filling them with white or red clay, and then glazing and firing the piece. Characterized by its subtle jade-green hue and intricate patterns, it is regarded as a representative cultural heritage that demonstrates the artistry and technical sophistication of Goryeo celadon.
A variety of experiential and educational programs will also be offered alongside the exhibition. On the 19th, a "Humanities Concert" themed on inlaid celadon will be held. A magic show and an inlaid celadon-making experience will take place on the 13th and 14th, while a "Historical Site Tour Tracing the Origins of Inlaid Celadon" will be held on the 27th. Every weekend during the exhibition period, the hands-on program "Goryeo Celadon Made by My Own Hands" will be offered, providing visitors with the opportunity to directly experience Goryeo celadon.
"This special exhibition is a meaningful opportunity to encounter up close national treasure-class cultural heritage and the Lee Kun-hee Collection, which are difficult to access in regional areas," a Righteous Army Museum official said. "We will continue to present a variety of exhibitions and educational programs so that local residents and tourists can enjoy high-quality cultural heritage."
