KOREA FOUNDATION

KF Global Challenger Internship Letter

Since last February, I have been involved in various Korean art projects as a Korea Foundation Intern in the Art of Asia department at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) in the United States. I have had the pleasure and privilege of developing my research as I see fit under the guidance of Department Chair Christina Yu Yu. who has been very supportive of me.
   My primary research centers around modern Korean photography and its intersection with architecture and travel writing, but my tasks also involve other exciting projects related to Korean art in general.
   In March, I worked on a digital highlight tour of Korean art to be published on the MFA website over the summer. For this, I submitted a list of 25 pieces of Korean artwork and included my reasoning for these selections. Additionally, I reviewed and revised the texts on Korean art for a new edition of the MFA Handbook to be published in 2020. And my business trips to other museums, including the Harvard Art Museum in Boston, the Metropolitan Museum in New York, greatly helped me learn about the Korean archival and curatorial landscapes in America.
   In April, I devoted myself to both short-term and long- term Korean gallery installation projects at the MFA. It was a great pleasure to talk about gallery rotation with curators, museum conservators, and gallery project managers. As my supervisor showed her interest in a long-term Korean gallery renovation, I also researched Korean grants that might support overseas Korean galleries.
   My tasks in May and June included the deinstallation/ installation of the Korean gallery, the opening of the online highlight tour, and participation in education programs on Korean art at the MFA. I examined Korean objects, updated notes through The Museum System, wrote new label texts, published my list of Korean art highlights, and gave three gallery talks on Goryeo celadon pieces in the MFA’s Korean gallery. I was delighted to see many people in attendance at the talks. I hope that I was able to contribute to the recognition of Korean art through these projects.
   On a personal note, my foot was recently fractured in an accident. Thankfully, my health insurance reimbursed my medical bills, and through the kindness and understanding of the museum staff, I was able to continue my projects without any trouble. My dear fellow KF Global Challengers, wish you all the best of luck and please take good care of yourselves.

KF Museum Internship Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Massachusetts, United States Chung Joowon

USA Boston Museum Intern