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Meot: Korean Art from the Frank Bayley Collection

Aug 28 2024–Mar 9 2025

Seattle Asian Art Museum

The essence of the Korean term meot encompasses charm, style, elegance, beauty, and creativity, along with highly refined aesthetic sensibilities. Frank Bayley (1939–2022), a generous art patron and distinguished collector of East Asian art along with Western prints and drawings, embodied the philosophy of meot as he appreciated and promoted Korean art and culture. The term describes not only his art collection but also his friendships, particularly with Korean artists. During his lifetime, he gifted 86 works to the Seattle Art Museum, and a significant bequest upon his passing contributed over 280 additional artworks to the museum.

In tribute to Frank Bayley's generosity and legacy, this exhibition highlights Korean artworks created by seven of his close artist friends, alongside traditional works that he cherished for nearly half a century. Featuring over 60 artworks, including ceramics, calligraphy, paintings, and wooden works, the Meot exhibition illustrates Bayley's collecting vision: he admired both the continuity and innovation within traditional artworks and contemporary artistic expressions of Korean art. Similarly, the contemporary artists featured in the exhibition explore creativity while delving into Korean identities in their works and practices.

Meot: Korean Art from the Frank Bayley Collection is organized by the Seattle Art Museum. The exhibition is guest curated by Hyonjeong “HJ” Kim Han, Department Head and Joseph de Heer Curator of Arts of Asia at the Denver Art Museum.

Major Sponsors
C.D. Stimson Company
Mimi Gardner Gates Asian Art Endowment

Supporting Sponsor
Steve Phelps


Image: Moon Jar, 2007, Park Young-sook, Korean, born 1947, porcelain with clear glaze, 20 x 19 1/2 in. (50.8 x 49.5 cm), Gift of Frank S. Bayley III, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum, 2007.86 © Young Sook Park. Photo: Susan Cole.

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meot (pronunciation: mʌ̹t or mŏt):

Moon Jar, 2007, Youngsook PARK, South Korean, b. 1947, porcelain with clear glaze, 20 x 19 1/2 in. (50.8 x 49.5 cm), Gift of Frank S. Bayley III, in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the Seattle Art Museum, 2007.86 © Young Sook Park. Photo: Susan Cole
Vase, ca. 1200, Korea, Goryeo dynasty, (918-1392), Stoneware with iron-oxide slip underglaze, height: 13 3/8 in., diameter: 4 7/8 in. (34 x 12.4 cm), Bequest of Frank S. Bayley III, 2023.11.197. Photo: Scott Leen
Inscription on the Pillar of Stream Pavillion in Mount Jiri, 2005, SON Manjin, South Korean, b. 1964, ink on paper, overall: 68 7/8 x 41 5/8 in. (175 x 105.7 cm), image: 24 3/16 x 35 13/16 in. (61.5 x 91 cm), Gift of Frank S. Bayley III, 2005.173© Man-jin Son. Photo: Beth Mann
Brush holder with bamboo and chrysanthemum designs, ca. 1850-1900, Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392-1897),Wood, 5 7/8 x 4 3/4 x 4 1/8 in. (14.9 x 12 x 10.5 cm), Bequest of Frank S. Bayley III, 2023.11.240. Photo: Scott Leen
Cosmetic oil bottle with chrysanthemum design, ca. 1200, Korea, Goryeo dynasty (918-1392), Stoneware with inlaid decoration under celadon glaze, 1 5/8 in. (4.13 cm), Eugene Fuller Memorial Collection, 33.205, Photo: National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea
Bottle with flower design, ca. 1450-1500, Korea, Joseon dynasty (1392-1897), Buncheong ware: Stoneware with iron-painted decoration over white slip, 11 1/6 in. (28.1 cm), girth: 20 5/8 in., Gift of Frank S. Bayley III, 87.137. Photo: National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage, Republic of Korea.
Portrait of an elderly man with white roses and a sculpture in the foreground.
Portrait of Frank Bayley, 2018, photo: Bohnchang Koo.

A Gift for Seattle

A Seattle native, Frank Bayley was the grandson of Emma Baillargeon Stimson, the first female director of the Seattle Art Museum. Bayley made his home in San Francisco for over 50 years, but his commitment to his hometown never waned. During his lifetime, he gifted 86 works to SAM, and a significant bequest upon his passing contributed over 280 additional artworks to the museum. Bayley’s gifts of Korean art, Japanese art, Chinese ceramics, and European prints and drawings leave behind a legacy of art that will nourish SAM’s galleries for years to come.

In the news

“The harmonious Meot: Korean aesthetics bloom at the Seattle Asian Art Museum”

International Examiner


“The intentional mixing of historic Korean art — dating as far back as the 12th century — with contemporary works showcases how current artists engage with past techniques while creating new expressions.”

SEAtoday

“'Meot,' said [curator HJ] Han at the exhibit’s press preview, can convey such concepts as 'beauty, style, [and] refined sensibilities.' It can apply to nature, but also to art. One thing Han said with certainty, though: Frank Bayley had, and his collection embodies, the spirit of 'meot' all the way.”

NW Asian Weekly


“Bayley’s collection shines a light on living artists, simultaneously illuminating the traditions in which their work is grounded.”

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