KAIST

KAIST (President Kwang Hyung Lee) opened a special exhibition "The Vault of Masterpieces" featuring the architects of the Gallerist Hong Gyu Shin, who is active in New York, on April 29th.

Since its opening in December 2024, the KAIST Museum of Art, which has mainly exhibited works from its own collection, has boldly invited internationally renowned gallerist Shin Hong-gyu to hold its first full-scale special exhibition, displaying a large number of his collections in the center of the campus.

This exhibition will feature a variety of artifacts from artists who are looking for a society that includes the 18th century artist Tanksuis Boucher, the 19th century master Vincent van Gogh’s “Head of a Peasant (1885)”, the 20th century master of the orthodoxy Saibli, and Joan Miró’s friend Carlarena, a forgotten figure in history who has been brought to life by Gallerist Shin.

< Photo 1. A space where the works and props of the new collection are combined is recreated in the exhibition hall. Shin Gallery >

Shin, who majored in ceramics and restoration at the University of Delaware, is a gallerist, curator, and collector of paintings who has embraced the world of space and artifacts.

Shin has been trading, respecting, and exhibiting artifacts ranging from the 18th century to the moderncontemporary, and has been a part of the global art scene since his youth in 1990.

So far, he has put on 150 exhibitions and has participated in over 300 events with members of the National Assembly, Watertan, Treatment, Reina Commission, Guggenheim, Whitney, New York Anne, Kunstmuseum Basel, Van Gogh Foundation, Biennale, etc. This shows well how much trust Shin’s vision and movement are receiving in the international field.

Shin said, “This Vault of Masterpieces" This <Vault of Masterpieces> exhibition is not just a place where works of art stay, but a place where conversations flow beyond time and space. In this world where art becomes a question, empathy, and a self-portrait that constantly changes its appearance, we will feel a life living with art, and if this exhibition has left a little trembling in someone's heart, I am happy enough with that alone."

< Photo 2. Gallerist Hong-Gyu Shin's lecture on the topic of how Van Gogh's paintings came to my hands >

Hyeon-Jeong Suk, the director of KAIST Art Museum and a professor of KAIST Department of Industrial Design said, “It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to comfortably experience the latest collection trends of the New York art world here at the KAIST Museum of Art, and you will also be able to experience a unique exhibition composition that reconstructed the living room of Mr. Hong Gyu Shin residence as is.”

President Kwang-Hyung Lee said, “Despite being a new museum that has only been open for four months, we are very grateful to Hong Gyu Shin entrusting the works of masters such as Vincent van Gogh. The Vault will be an unforgettable exhibition for the members of KAIST and the community at large.”

KAIST and the Art Museum hosted a lecture by Gallerist Hong Gyu Shin, "How I got my first Van Gogh" on the 29th, and the opening ceremony of the Vault of Masterpieces Exhibition with invited guests.

The general public can visit from the 30th of April to the 29th of August, and the admission is free of charge on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

< Photo 3. Opening ceremony for the Exhibition of the Vault of Masterpieces >