A Living Alphabet

Language is a powerful connector, bringing people together across time and place. This spirit of interconnectedness is at the heart of a new installation in the Gallery of Korea that tells the story of the Korean alphabet, Hangeul (한글), through contemporary art. 

Created in 1443 by King Sejong and his court scholars during the Joseon Dynasty, Hangeul was designed to make reading and writing accessible to ordinary people. At the time, most written communication in Korea relied on Hanja, Chinese characters used by the educated Korean elite. 

At the centre of the installation is Things I Know (2023–25), a brilliantly hued mosaic by contemporary artist Ik-Joong Kang, known for his pocket-sized paintings arranged into large scale installations that explore themes of identity, diaspora, and cultural connection. 

“Kang is an internationally renowned artist, recognized with numerous honours, including the special merit prize at the Venice Biennale,” says Vicki Sung-yeon Kwon, Associate Curator of Korean Art & Culture at ROM. “When I asked him to help revitalize ROM’s Gallery of Korea through his public art, he gladly agreed. We are thrilled to welcome him to the Museum.”

Created in collaboration with Korean community members from across Ontario, the installation reflects Kang’s long-standing interest in collective storytelling. People’s personal reflections are captured through Hangeul words written in crayon on paper and mounted onto small wood blocks. 

“This project was born out of community participation. We collected more than 300 sentences through public workshops held with the support of community partners, including the Korean Artists Society of Canada and the Korean Canadian Schools Association,” says Kwon. 

As a backdrop to the mosaic, Kang added outlines of traditional Korean porcelain objects, many examples of which can be found in ROM’s collection. 

The work celebrates forming and sharing collective knowledge, echoing the intended purpose of Hangeul as a script for all. 

The art reflects a dialogue between the past and present, underscoring how Hangeul expanded literacy in Korea and how language continues to connect people and ideas today.

Support for the Gallery of Korea provided in honour of sculptor Won Lee by Mrs. Hyon Chu Lee in collaboration with National accessArts Centre.

Monika Tragarz is the Communications Coordinator at ROM.