4/22/22, 7:44 AM
Best Museums to Learn About Asian Art | Khoa-Nathan Ngo | Art
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Best Museums to Learn About Asian Art by Khoa-Nathan Ngo | Apr 21, 2022 | Art, Chinese Art, Khoa-Nathan Ngo, Museums
It’s not rare for large art museums to house an extensive Asian art collection. However, none of these are as large as the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. Outside of these though, there are some incredible museums exclusively dedicated to Asian art. In the past decade, the number of Asian American museums has increased as the Asian American media has been severely affected by the decline of cable networks and publications. Despite the economic downturn, these five institutions have remained incredibly popular in the US.
Asian Art Museum Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture | San Francisco, CA This is the largest museum in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to Asian art. Silicon Valley entrepreneur and philanthropist, Chong-Moon Lee, is honored here for his substantial donations to the organization. His donation included $1 million dedicated for the comprehensive Korean collection. While it has only a few contemporary pieces on display, the museum still has plenty of traditional art to enjoy, such as ceramics, ivory, and jade. https://khoanathanngo.org/best-museums-to-learn-about-asian-art/
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4/22/22, 7:44 AM
Best Museums to Learn About Asian Art | Khoa-Nathan Ngo | Art
The museum was formerly housed in Golden Gate Park. However, it was relocated to the Civic Center, which is a former public library branch.
Asia Society and Museum | New York, NY The entrance to this museum is located in Upper Manhattan. Aside from the banners that decorate the entrance, nothing really stands out from the other buildings in the area. However, once inside, visitors are greeted by a grand staircase that leads to the four public galleries. In the early 1990s, the Asia Society became one of the first museums in the U.S. to introduce a contemporary Asian art collection. This initiative was carried out in honor of the organization’s mission to promote dialogue and strengthen ties between the US and Asia. Due to the museum’s success, it has also started to commission other artists to create works inspired by the collection.
Japanese American National Museum | Los Angeles, CA The museum was established in 1992 to celebrate the cultural diversity of the US. It has also worked to promote democracy and the ideals of freedom through its various programs and exhibits. This is the only Asian museum in California that has a partnership with the Smithsonian Institution. Amidst current events, the lessons of Japanese American internment are still relevant to Americans. The museum also features a variety of Japanese pop culture and contemporary Asian art pieces. If you’re looking for something a bit different, check out the exhibition “Giant Robot Biennale 2: 15 Years,” which features an exclusive installation by David Choe.
Pacific Asia Museum | Pasadena, CA Although it’s not exactly an ethnic enclave, the museum’s location in Pasadena is certainly an interesting one. This building, which is a Chinese Imperial-style structure, was once the home of a local entrepreneur. Eventually, it became known as the Pasadena Art Museum. In 1971, it was renamed the Pacific Asia Museum. This gallery features works from the Korean Joseon period. It also has a variety of folk and contemporary art pieces. Despite its small size, the museum still manages to present some of the most innovative exhibits. One of these is the “Calligraffiti” exhibit, which features three murals created by graf and calligrapher artists.
Wing Luke Asian Museum | Seattle, WA If you’re looking for Asian art pieces from a Dynasty, then the Wing Luke Asian Museum isn’t for you. Instead, it’s a community-based institution that features exhibits that are based on the region’s history. In 2008, the museum’s expanded facility was built on the site of a boarding house that was originally owned by Chinese immigrants. This structure served as a boarding house for Chinese immigrants during the 20th century. The museum also preserved some of the building’s original features. Through its various programs and exhibits, Wing Luke aims to preserve the stories of Asian immigrants and https://khoanathanngo.org/best-museums-to-learn-about-asian-art/
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Best Museums to Learn About Asian Art | Khoa-Nathan Ngo | Art
celebrate their achievements and struggles. It also supports local artists through its incubator program. Through its various programs, the museum also aims to encourage and support new talent.
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