Across the sea

Across the sea: artistic encounters between Japan and Korea

Join us to explore of two of Asia’s most dynamic artistic cultures through their museums, artist spaces, and heritage sites. This is a journey about influence, resistance and reconciliation, through art.

Japan and Korea share a deep artistic relationship spanning 1,500 years. The spread of Buddhism from Korea to Japan brought bronze casting and temple architecture, while Korean pottery inspired Japanese ceramics.

Starting in Dazaifu in Northern Kyushu, we’ll visit the Kyushu National Museum, dedicated to the flow of continental art through the Korean peninsula into Japan. Then we move to the seaside pottery town of Karatsu, home to the most important kiln-family lineages in Japan.

Next, to Korea where we’ll examine Japan's influence and see how contemporary Korean artists respond to the complex relationship with Japan. We’ll visit the works of Korean-born artist Lee Ufan, and Japanese artist Yanagi Yukinori, whose work resonates deeply in Korea.

In Seoul we’ll spend time with Korea's national artistic treasures, many of which were protypes for magnificent sculptures, paintings and ceramics which made their way to Japan.

This tour explores how despite historical tensions artistic collaborations can enrich the cultures and understanding of neighbouring nations.

Express your interest or to keep up to date with this tour, email traveltours@ag.nsw.gov.au