Immerse Yourself in the Past in this Traditional Korean Garden.
(Published April 5, 2012)

[The museum of art is beautiful (2)] Ho Am Art Museum
A collection of 1200 artworks, and a traditional Korean garden covering 66,115 m²

◇ Ho Am Art Museum, located in Gasil-ri of Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province, holds an impressive collection of 1,200 Korean artworks. A panoramic view of the museum. ⓒ G-News Plus

Opened in April 1982, the museum has a collection based on some 1,200 Korean artworks collected by Ho-Am Lee Byung-chull, founder of Samsung Group, over a period of thirty years.

The Ho Am Art Museum is located amid the beautiful natural scenery of Gasil-ri, Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province. It consists of a main building (4,297 m²) constructed in the style of a hanok (traditional Korean house) and a traditional Korean garden named “Hee Won”.

◇ Hee Won Garden, opened in 1997, is a traditional Korean garden (covering 66,115m²) tended in perfect harmony with its surrounding scenery.

The exhibition hall of the Ho Am Art Museum covers 1,057 m² and consists of two floors. The first floor comprises the Art Crafts Room and the Buddhist Arts Room, and the second floor features the Ancient Paintings Room and the Porcelain Room. In addition, the museum has a book/data room, VTR screening room, lounge, and teahouse. It also has a souvenir store which displays and sells products created by the museum.

◇ Pohwamun Gate located within the garden. ⓒ G-News Plus

The Hee Won traditional Korean garden was opened in 1997 in commemoration of the Cultural Heritage Year and the 15th anniversary of the opening of the Ho Am Art Museum. It is a unique space where visitors can appreciate the beautiful style of traditional Korean gardens. Each corner of the garden exhibits the aesthetic sense of Korean ancestors who were gifted in reading the principles and roots of life inherent in nature due to their close relationship with the natural environment.

Hee Won, was created by restoring geographical features according to the principle of harmony with the surrounding environment. Traditional architectural elements such as gates, a pavilion, a pond, and fences were accentuated, creating a beautiful fluidity reminiscent of a landscape painting.

In addition, items from the museum’s collection of relics, including a stone pagoda of the Silla Dynasty and precious stone sculptures such as Buddhist statutes, totem poles, stone lanterns, and water fountains are displayed throughout the garden. A range of Korean native wild plants and the Four Gracious Plants (plum, orchid, chrysanthemum and bamboo) have also been planted in the garden, making it a perfect natural learning field for youngsters.

◇ The Main Garden is in a beautiful natural landscape reminiscent of a landscape painting. ⓒ G-News Plus

The Lakeside Park, located on the shore of a lake in front of the Ho-Am Art Museum, as well as the Stone Image Path, are popular spots among families. Visitors to the museum can experience the charm of this beautiful Korean traditional garden and the aura of Korean ancestors in the various ancient artworks on display here.

The Museum of Art is located at 204, Gasil-ri, Pogok-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin City, Gyeonggi Province. It opens daily between 10 a.m. and 6p.m., except for Mondays (closed). Admission fees: KRW 4,000 for adults and KRW 3,000 for children up to the age of 18. Groups can get a discount of KRW 1,000 per person.

For more detailed information, please call the museum at Tel: 031-320-1801∼2 or visit its homepage:(hoam.samsungfoundation.org)

◇ The Lakeside Park, situated by the side of the lake in front of the Ho-Am Art Museum, as well as the Stone Image Path, are popular spots among families.

ⓒ G-News Plus / Son Rak-hun / kuni1202@kg21.net

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