Private Museums: Museum SAN—Where Space, Art, and Nature Unite
Opened in 2013, Museum SAN is the fruit of 30 years of preparation by the founder late Mrs. Lee, In-hee—Hansol Group advisor and the eldest daughter of Samsung chairman Lee, Byung-chul. With its architecture designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando, Museum SAN is an acronym for “space, art, nature”. Located in a valley, Museum SAN is also known as a relaxing place to spend time?away from the hectic cosmopolitan of Seoul,?integrating the private art museum scene into the everyday lives of South Koreans. Its collection includes Korean modern and contemporary oil paintings and paper artworks. As part of the research for the PRIVATE ART MUSEUM REPORT 2023 published in June (read the full report here ), LARRY’S LIST interviewed Mrs. Ahn, Young Joo, current Museum Director and daughter-in-law of late Mrs. Lee, In-hee. She explained the journey behind the establishment of Museum SAN, the evolution of the museum collection and its audience, and the inclusion of the James Turrell Hall and a meditation hall. She also shared her views on the role of a private museum in our world nowadays and her vision for the museum in the upcoming years.