The National Korean Museum will open its first gallery dedicated to Islamic art, marking a major step in showcasing global cultural heritage. The Islamic Art Gallery is located on the third floor of the museum’s Permanent Exhibition Hall and opens to the public this Friday.
To celebrate the launch, the Korean Museum is hosting a joint exhibition with the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar, titled “Islamic Art: A Journey of Splendor.” The exhibition runs for 11 months and features 83 artifacts on loan from Doha. This is the first time Islamic culture will be presented in a permanent space at the Korean Museum.
Museum director You Hong-june said during a media preview that the collaboration allows visitors to experience Islamic art through cooperation with leading global institutions. He described Islamic culture as “a world of fantastic artistry” characterized by geometric patterns and sophisticated calligraphy. Shaika Nasser Al-Nassr, director of the Doha museum, noted that Korea and Qatar share historical trade connections and hopes the exhibition strengthens cultural ties.
The exhibition spans more than a millennium of Islamic art, from the 7th to 19th centuries. It is divided into three sections: religious art; cultural exchange and expansion; and Islamic courtly art and manuscripts. The religious art section features Quran manuscripts, mosque lamps, prayer carpets, mihrab stone panels, and other architectural elements. The gallery’s design, with a domed roof and octagonal layout, immerses visitors as if entering a mosque.
The second section highlights the spread of Islamic culture across regions, showcasing artifacts like astrolabes, glass, ceramic, and metal crafts. The final section presents courtly arts, including exquisite carpets, textiles, jewelry, and manuscripts created under royal patronage. A media art recreation of the Reception Room of a Nobleman in Damascus allows visitors to experience the ambiance of the Islamic golden age.
By opening this gallery, the Korean Museum further establishes itself as a hub for international cultural exchange, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the rich and diverse history of Islamic art.
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