Sketches at the Exhibit "Gaya Spirit - Iron and Tune"

Pasa Stone Pagoda, the lumps of stones were said to have been the ones of balancing the ship which had carried Indian Princess, Hur Hwang Ok, the legendery queen of the King "Suro" of Gaya Kingdom(A.D. 42-562). The stones was guessed as from abroad not of Korean originated by the quality of reddish color and the smoothness. 

sepia conte, A 4

Gaya pottery, pen, pencil, A 4

iron armor and helmet, A 4

visitors appreciating pottery, sepia conte, 19.5 x 26 cm

sanguine conte, 19.5 x 26 cm

cooking stove, pottery, sepia conte, 19.5 x 26 cm

iron armor and helmet of warriors, sepia conte, 19.5 x 26 cm

Horn cup in the shape of a Warrior on Horseback, 5-6th C, National treasure 275, 

pencil, 19.5 x 26 cm

installation of bars in Gayageum(musical instrument, Gayageum), 

sanguine, sepia conte, 19.5 x 26 cm

crystal necklace

Last week I went to the National Museum of Korea, Yongsan to see the exhibit, Gaya Spirit - Iron and Tune" two times in order to sketch more. All those exhibited assets were great. I was surprised so much looking at their elaborated skill handling earth, iron, glass, and crystal. Sound, media, warrior sculptures, and Gayageum installation seemed to convey the concept of the Gaya Confederacy, coexistence and prosperity. 

지난 주말 이틀간 국립중앙박물관에 가서 "가야 본성 - 칼과 현"을 관람하고 왔습니다. 첫날에는 대충 보고 두째날에도 다 보았다고는 할 수 없으리만치 유물이 많았어요. 그리지는 못했지만 수정목걸이는 참으로 아름답더군요. 28년만에 하는 가야전시라고 합니다. 내년 3월 1일까지 전시 예정이니 많이 관람하시면 좋겠어요.

Sketches at National Museum of Korea, Yongsan, Seoul

National Museum of Korea building beyond Mirror Pond, pen and watercolor crayon, (29.6 x 42cm)

Dear Jazz Orchestra performance on the Open Plaza, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

  a quick sketch of the players of the orchestra, pencil, (29.6 x 42cm)

Buddhist Hanging Scroll at Magoksa Temple(마곡사 괘불), pen and watercolor, 

(21 x 29.6cm)

Iron Statue, Buddha(부처), pencil, (21 x 29.6cm)

exhibition room of donated works on the 2nd floor, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

main hall (Great Hall) of the museum, pen, (21 x 29.6cm)

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Last Saturday, it was a nice day to sketch. The National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관), located in Yongsan, was crowded with visitors who were interested in culture and art. We Seoul urban sketchers had several winter sketching events here. In the summer, the atmosphere of the museum was more lively than in the winter. The great museum is a large cultural facility in the Yongsan Family Park in central Seoul, and we can explore the history of art and enjoy culture regardless of weather conditions. The unique exhibition spaces in the magnificent building and numerous collections and cultural assets of various genres offer a lot of sketching subject. Various special exhibitions, weekend concerts, and harmonious elements of the surrounding landscape and museum buildings are colorful painting materials. Especially, the orchestra concert in the open plaza heightened the cultural festive mood.

I was touched by the craftsmanship of many artists and sketched several scenes that I had not previously painted. And I felt grateful to our ancestors, artists, architects, and citizens who share culture living in the present age. I was sorry that I couldn't draw all the materials, but I left the museum, taking the next chance.

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초여름 국립박물관 스케치는 열린마당 연주회를 곁들인 아름다운 문화 축제였습니다.
수천년 걸쳐 조상의 얼과 예술혼이 깃든 문화유산들~~
하나의 커다란 그릇에 담아 시대의 상징으로 태어난 대형건축물~~
보석같은 소재, 생생한 실물들을 마주보며 마음대로 스케치할 수있는 행운에 오로지 감사할 따름입니다.

Sketches at National Museum of Korea, Yongsan

main hall of the museum, charcoal, A 4

stone buddha, charcoal, A 4

a sketcher drawing the big painting from the Magoksa(temple), ball-point pen, pastels, A 4

a woman looking at the wooden furniture donated by Kim Chong-Hak, pen, sepia conte, A 4

a woman reading the guide in front of a painting, Birobong, the highest peak of Geumgangsan, made on about 1711 by Jeong Seon, outdoor painter of Joseon dynasty, charcoal, A 4

exhibition room of jars, pastels, charcoal, A 4

performance on Dear Jazz Orchestra on the open ground, charcoal, A 4

audience to enjoy the music, charcoal, A 4

guitar player of the orchestra and a kid dancing freely, charcoal, A 4

violin player, charcoal, A 4

The National Museum of Korea looked light and enjoyable far different from the serious atmosphere of old days though the exhibited works have the sublime worth regardless whatever the events happen outdoor. Lots of visitors enjoyed those relics inside and great music outside. It looked very recommendable and admirable that the officials have been taking efforts to change the space to be loved by all generations from kids to senior. I could feel "There will be something to see and enjoy." Successful was to be there yesterday with so many visitors who looked happy so much. 

어제 박물관에서 종래의 딱딱한 분위기와는 다른 문화향연이 있어서 매우 즐거운 시간이었습니다. 멋진 재즈 오케스트라 음악을 즐기는 관중의 모습도 좋았고 더불어 스케치도 할 수 있어 말할 수 없이 기분 좋은 날이었습니다. 참여하신 분들 감사합니다.

winter sketches at the National Museum of Korea

front view of the museum on the Open Plaza, (36 x 51cm), pen and watercolor

Great Hall on the 1st floor inside the museum, (36 x 51cm), pen and watercolor

 an outdoor scene viewed from the lounge of museum shop, (26 x 37cm), pencil 

 Great Hall viewed from the 2nd floor, (21 x 29.6cm ), pen

an interior scene viewed from the 2nd floor with part of Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda,

(26 x 37cm), pencil

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It is very cold weather throughout the week. Despite the violent winter wind, Seoul urban sketchers met at the National Museum of Korea for sketching on Wednesday this week. The panoramic scenes of the grand museum were exceptionally beautiful in harmony with a background of the snowy landscape. The museum were fulled with visitors including lots of students as a group, kids and their parents during winter vacation season. I drew a few sketches in and out the museum with a new feeling.

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엄청난 양의 우리의 역사문화유산과 다양한 프로그램을 담은
국내 최대의 국립중앙박물관은 스케치 소재의 박물관이기도 합니다.
칼바람 추운 날씨 속에 열정을 발휘하신 스케쳐님들께 성원을 보냅니다~~

Sketches at the National Museum of Korea, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

exhibited books in glass case

Buddha stone sculpture

six pieces of bamboo picture scrolls by Jo Hee Ryong (1789 - 1866)

exhibition room of white ceramic vases

wooden furniture

wooden bench designed after wooden furniture 

 canon

scene seen from the 2nd floor with part of Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda

king's chair of Joseon dynasry with big painting in the background, which was made by 65 % of real scale in Gyeongbokgung(palace)

It was very cold though we couldn't compare it with the terrible icy weather in north America. But some great sketchers challenged to draw outdoor. Every time I visit there I feel just small in front of all those masterpieces. We enjoyed both appreciating treasures and drawing them. Being in the space full of great works would enhance our taste too.

Thank you all!

요즘같은 추위에 국립중앙박물관을 방문하는 것만해도 보람있는 일이라고 생각됩니다. 거기에 한점 두점 그려나가면서 선조들의 피땀과 애환이 담긴 보물들을 가까이 보는 기회를 자주 가졌으면 합니다. 추운 날씨에 참여하신 분들께 감사드립니다.

참여하신 분들 : 이용환, 이충근, 한정선, 최정은, 김미옥, 조은비(새로 오신 분), 유병화