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Korean artifacts at Newark Museum undergo examination

April 27, 2015
A Korean artwork inside Newark Museum in New Jersey is looked at by a foundation member.

A Korean artwork inside Newark Museum in New Jersey is looked at by a foundation member.

Korean artifacts in possession of Newark Museum in New Jersey are undergoing condition checks and appraisals by the Overseas Korean Cultural Heritage Foundation through May 1.

Foundation members Kim Sam Dae-ja, Park Sung-sil, Kim Young-won, Kim Dong-hyun and Ahn Min-hee, long-time art professionals of Korean museums and research institutes, will study each Korean piece at the museum, including those not on display.

The effort will help both the museum and the foundation understand the exact quantity and contents of the works there.

Newark Museum started collecting Korean artwork from its beginning in 1909, said Katherine Anne Paul, curator of the museum’s Arts of Asia.

She said she hopes this effort will help determine the truths behind and the actual significance of the works.

FIT professor Byun Kyung-hee said the maintenance of a database of Korean artifacts and art is integral to the conservation and promotion of Korean artwork worldwide.

The foundation operates under South Korea’s Cultural Heritage Administration and was created to investigate, restore, promote and educate matters involving Korean artifacts.

About 156,000 Korean artifacts are estimated to be in overseas countries. The Newark Museum has about 500 pieces.