▲ Artist Sun is known for her work that reframes mass-produced objects. Credit:© Andrea Rossetti.

Following Art Basel Hong Kong 2026, Sun’s “Ken” (2023) is exclusively featured in the new Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 Collection on Samsung Art TVs[1].

To mark the occasion, Samsung Newsroom spoke with Sun about her artistic philosophy, her visual language and what inspired this collaboration with Samsung Art Store.

▲ “Ken” (2023) reflects Sun’s distinctive approach to culture. Credit: Sun‘s Studio and BANK.

Painting the Familiar Anew

Q: “Ken” (2023) is featured in this year’s Art Basel Hong Kong collection on Samsung Art Store. What’s the meaning behind this work?

My earlier iterations of “Ken” were all relatively small. This version is the first time I’ve painted him at a large scale — three meters across. I wanted the male figure in the painting to become the object of the gaze.

Barbie’s boyfriend feels very characteristic of our current moment. He has had all roughness and resistance removed. He is handsome, healthy and radiant. But he is empty. Inside, he is just plastic. He exists only as Barbie’s counterpart. I did not want to paint him as a toy, but as a living, beautiful head. When pilgrimage is stripped of traditional faith, it begins to reflect a problem of modernity.

“They were my companions in childhood, and they also carry the imprint of the time we live in.”

Q: Many of your paintings begin with familiar objects, toys or images from everyday life. What draws you to those subjects, and what do they allow you to explore as an artist?

I grew up in China in the 1990s, so I—and most people my age—did not have siblings. It was also a period of rapid economic change, shaped by reform and greater openness to global trade. My hometown, Wenzhou, is known for manufacturing.

As a child, I often visited local factories owned by friends’ families. The assembly lines and showrooms were filled with toys,eyeglasses and such goods ready for export to markets around the world.  At home I spent a lot of time alone with my dolls while my parents were away.

Later, when I was in college, I visited the city of Yiwu, known for its wholesale markets. I was struck by these small everyday objects — their shapes, materials, colors and textures all seemed to carry the atmosphere of a particular era. That experience led me to begin my “Man-Made Objects” series.

In the modern world, objects have become increasingly short-lived. I feel attached to these fleeting things made on assembly lines. They were my companions in childhood, and they also carry the imprint of the time we live in.

Q: What does painting allow you to do with these familiar objects that another medium might not?

Much like the subjects of my work, paint itself is also a material object. In a sense, I use one object — paint — to represent another object through realism. What matters to me is the painting’s physical presence. That is the key difference between a painting and an image of a painting on a screen: the painting exists physically as a real, tangible object.

I care deeply about the concept of painterliness, but I do not want my brushwork to be too expressive or too obvious. I do not want the texture to call attention to itself on the surface. I prefer to let it emerge quietly, in hidden and subtle places.

Where Nostalgia Meets the Present

“As a painter, I know painting is a very old medium. But as a younger artist, I am open to trying new languages and new tools.”

Q: What first drew you to painting as your way of seeing and interpreting the world?

I studied at an art school in Beijing, but painting had already been part of my life since childhood. Over time, through constant practice and repetition, I gradually developed my own artistic language.

When I was little, I loved Shogo Hirata’s fairy tale books and would constantly copy the characters. I was also obsessed with “Sailor Moon” and drew its characters over and over again. I still remember one moment in kindergarten when I drew a princess for my classmates and cut small slits into her dress with scissors. When I held it up to the sunlight, the light came through and made the dress seem as if it were glowing. Everyone was delighted. I think that may have been the moment I realized how interesting drawing could be—and that I wanted to keep doing it.

Q: Your paintings are incredibly precise, but they also leave room for ambiguity and feeling. How do you think about that balance as you work?

Only when the choice of object, the coolness of the brushwork and the objectivity of the viewpoint are pushed to a very high degree of precision can ambiguity and emotion rise within the painting. Otherwise, it would simply be a depiction of an object, without meaning.

▲ “Ken” displayed on The Frame Pro as a part of the Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 Collection on Samsung Art Store.

Q: How have you seen technology shape the way art is made, shared and experienced today — and where do you think that relationship is headed?

New technologies are constantly reshaping the way art is made today. As a painter, I know painting is a very old medium. But as a younger artist, I am open to trying new languages and new tools. That does not necessarily mean bringing them directly into my paintings. Rather, they push me to reflect on what painting means at this moment — what I should paint next, and how I should paint it.

From the Fair to Everyday Life

Q: Samsung Art Store creates a different context for discovering and experiencing art at home. How do you think your work resonates differently on displays than it does in a gallery or museum?

When my work is shown in a more private and intimate setting through a digital screen, it can take on a different feeling from the original painting. That shift is interesting to me because it allows people to encounter the work in everyday life, in a more personal way. On displays like The Frame, viewers can spend time with an image in their own space and notice details they might experience differently in a gallery or museum. At the same time, the original painting still has its own physical presence, so I hope people remain curious to see both. Right now, “Ken” is on view at the Long Museum in Shanghai.

▲ Users can explore a wide range of artworks in 4K quality on Samsung Art TVs. (From left) 2026 OLED S95H, The Frame Pro and Micro RGB.

Q: What interested you in partnering with Samsung Art Store to bring your art into the home, and what do you hope viewers take away from that experience?

I just hope my friends turn on their Samsung TV, see my giant “Ken” and get a little surprise!

Samsung Electronics serves as the official display partner of Art Basel and launches the Art Basel Collections on Samsung Art Store. These curated digital exhibitions are available exclusively on the Samsung Art Store and feature artists showcased at four Art Basel venues—Hong Kong, Basel, Paris and Miami Beach. Samsung Art Store brings together more than 5,000 artworks in 4K  from over 800 artists and 80+ partners in a single subscription service. Available across Samsung’s expanded 2026 Art TV lineup, it offers a new way to live with art through screens designed to fit naturally into everyday interiors.

For more information, visit: https://www.samsung.com/my/

[1] Samsung Art TVs include all 2026 models with Samsung Art Store above the M80H, except S90H and S85H.

▲ “The Parakeet and the Mermaid” (1952-1953) by Henri Matisse on The Frame Pro © Succession Henri Matisse, c/o Pictoright Amsterdam/Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam

Samsung Electronics has partnered with the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam to present a curated selection from its modern and contemporary collection on Samsung Art Store.

The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is known for its association with movements such as De Stijl and for its focus on modern art and design. Its collection includes works that use strong color, geometric forms and bold compositions, all elements that continue to influence how interiors and objects are designed today.

Highlights include “The Parakeet and the Mermaid” by Henri Matisse, alongside pieces by Kazimir Malevich, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, Claude Monet and Jan Toorop, reflecting the breadth of the Stedelijk’s modern European collection.

▲ “Old Oaks in Surrey” (1890) by Jan Toorop on Samsung Neo QLED

Living spaces are becoming more expressive, with art at the center of the home. The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam joins leading institutions on Samsung Art Store, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Museum of Modern Art and Tate, alongside a broader mix of editorial, photographic and design-led brands.

“The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam aims to introduce modern art and design to the widest possible audience,” said Rein Wolfs, Director, Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. “It’s a significant development, allowing people around the world to explore our collection in detail from home.”

“At Samsung, we see the home as a key space for experiencing art,” said Marta Di Gioia, Curator for Samsung Art Store Europe. “By featuring works like Matisse’s ‘The Parakeet and the Mermaid’ on Samsung Art Store, we enable people to live with art that has shaped modern culture.”

Samsung Art TVs, including OLED,[1] newly joining in 2026, sit at the center of the experience, seamlessly displaying artwork in the modern home. Samsung Art Store — now available on more Samsung TVs — features a growing collection across genres and eras, redefining how art is discovered and experienced.

[1] Samsung Art Store is available only on select OLED models: S95H globally and S99H in Europe.

More than a Device – the Integral Role TVs play in a Household

From little children captivated by their favorite cartoons, to couples unwinding with a romantic film, friends sharing their excitement over major sporting events and families gathering for blockbuster action movie nights together, the television has never been just a screen. More than just another electronic device, TVs have earned an important spot in households, bringing people together, shaping shared experiences, and creating lasting memories. Beyond entertainment, TVs have provided something more meaningful – quality time with the ones who matter.

It’s no surprise then, that when consumers consider purchasing a new TV, quality and durability rank among their top priorities. After all, they are not simply buying a device, but investing in a centerpiece of their homes – one that will stand the test of time, creating more special moments in the years to come.

Samsung’s 20-year run as the World’s top TV brand[1] reflects a legacy carefully built on maintaining our commitment to provide high quality visual experiences for the long-term. This expertise in the display sector also extends beyond TV screens. Reinforcing our leadership in another household’s touchpoint, we have recently retained our position as the world’s No. 1 gaming monitor brand for the seventh consecutive year[2].

Across the region, AI is now changing the TV’s role from passive display to active companion and consumers are navigating an ecosystem crowded with AI-powered devices, platforms, and services. However, due to a lack of intentional and effective integration into existing infrastructure, it can still be challenging for promising AI solutions to deliver the trustworthy and tangible value they claim to offer.

What Two Decades of Leadership Really Means

In market after market, and year after year, consumers have chosen Samsung not simply because of feature innovation, but because our solutions perform as promised. That consistency is supported by service networks, software updates, and retailer partnerships. Samsung’s reputation for reliability and innovation is also driven by word-of-mouth between family and friends – which our research[3] has identified as the top information touchpoint for consumers considering Samsung.

The market is now more competitive than at any point in Samsung’s 20-year run as the World’s top TV brand[4]. But we welcome the competition; it is what has kept us sharp. We know that the brands that will define the next 20 years will be those which can balance the pursuit of innovative technology with consistent delivery of experiences that consumers can trust in.

AI, Designed for the Long Game

At the core of Samsung’s 2026 lineup is Vision AI — a platform that works in the background, analysing content, user preferences, and the viewing environment in real time to automatically optimize picture and sound. This is not a feature you switch on, but is intelligence built into the device architecture itself, from the Micro RGB’s AI Engine Pro which renders precise colour reproduction frame by frame, to system-level integration that ensures hardware and software work as one. Harnessing this depth of integration allows us to deliver experiences that continually adapt to be meaningful for every user.

Building on this foundation is Vision AI Companion, the conversational layer that transforms the TV from a display that responds to commands into one that delivers a more natural and conversational experience. Where Vision AI handles what you see and hear, Vision AI Companion responds to what you ask and say. It understands contextual, casual prompts the way a friend might: “Can you recommend a movie for me to watch tonight?” or “What’s the recipe for that dish on screen?”. Far from being a search engine mapped onto a remote control, it functions through natural conversations.

Together, they represent a trust signal that AI is not reserved for only premium buyers. Vision AI and Vision AI Companion are not limited to flagship models but available across nearly Samsung’s entire 2026 4K and above TV line-up, from the Micro RGB 130-inch down to Crystal UHD TVs, not as a luxury add-on, but a standard part of the Samsung TV experience.

This long-game approach extends to how we protect and sustain that experience over time. As consumers embrace AI more deeply, the user experience must be grounded in the principle that access to personal information is limited to the specific task at hand.

Operating within a robust, hardware-level security framework like Samsung Knox ensures that personal data remains protected on-device and is shared only when required. And because a television is considered a long-term investment for most households, our TVs are built on the One UI Tizen[5] platform that comes with up to seven years[6] of OS software upgrades — maintaining security and delivering new features over time, so that consumers can be confident that today’s purchase remains fully supported well into the future.

Establishing Dependable Experiences in the AI Era 

The region’s openness to advanced technology, multi-generational households, passion for sports and gaming, and diverse content ecosystem mean that serving SEAO consumers well requires a carefully curated product portfolio with offerings that meet their needs

It has required listening closely and responding precisely. Features like AI Soccer Mode[7] — built for the biggest international sporting moments of the year — and the Samsung Art Store’s ever-expanding collection from global and regional curators were not accidental innovations. They were thoughtfully and intentionally designed based on two decades of understanding how people really live with their televisions. And of course, naturally made available in SEAO for our regional consumers.

Twenty years ago, Samsung made a promise to consumers around the world: to deliver television experiences worthy of their trust, their living rooms, and their passions. That promise has not changed. What has grown is our capacity to honour it, through deeper technology, stronger partnerships, and a more nuanced understanding of what consumers across diverse markets truly need. Vision AI is the most powerful expression of that commitment to date.

As we celebrate twenty years as the world’s leading TV brand, we do so with a clear sense of what that tenure means and what it demands. It reflects a track record of delivering on what we set out to do, and the confidence to continue maintaining that trust by ensuring that every innovation we bring to market makes life in homes across the globe, including SEAO, richer, smarter, and more connected to the things that matter most. That is the standard that we will hold ourselves to for the next twenty years and beyond.

For more information, visit: https://www.samsung.com/my/

[1] Source: Omdia, February 2026. Global television market share by manufacturer, based on annual sales by volume and revenue. According to Omdia data, Samsung has been the world’s leading TV brand for 20 consecutive years. For general information only; not an endorsement, certification or recommendation by Omdia

[2] Global No. 1 Gaming Monitor in 2019 to 2025 Source data: IDC Quarterly PC Monitor Tracker 2025 Q4 (Based on Value Amount)

[3] Samsung’s annual IFC SEAO TV Awareness Study 2025 was conducted with 2000 participants, aged 25 to 64 years old in November 2025, 8 countries including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam.

[4] Source: Omdia, February 2026. Global television market share by manufacturer, based on annual sales by volume and revenue. According to Omdia data, Samsung has been the world’s leading TV brand for 20 consecutive years. For general information only; not an endorsement, certification or recommendation by Omdia

[5] One UI Tizen: Content and services may vary by region and are subject to change without notice. Agreement to Smart Hub Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy is required before use. Some content and services require registration and subscription. Requires Samsung account. Tizen OS upgrades will be provided for up to 7 years, starting from release year. Please note that this upgrade does not cover the TV’s hardware performance, features or durability. Upgraded features may vary depending on the specifications and model. Requires internet connection. Data charges may apply.

[6] Tizen OS upgrades are available for products released from 2023 and will be supported for up to 7 years starting from the product release year. Please note that the upgrade does not cover hardware-related performance, features or durability. Features provided through upgrades may vary depending on model, region, product launch year and other factors.

[7] AI Soccer Mode Pro: AI technology designed to detect and optimise soccer content only. Availability and performance will vary according to several factors including source content and application in use.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., global display leader and provider of the Official Art TV of Art Basel, announced the launch of the Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 Collection. The curated digital exhibition will be available exclusively on Samsung Art Store and features 20 contemporary artists showcased at Art Basel Hong Kong, being held March 27-29 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. At a dedicated booth, Samsung will demonstrate how its Micro RGB, OLED and The Frame Pro display each artwork in stunning detail.

“Building on six years of collaboration with Art Basel, this collection represents the caliber of art Samsung Art Store offers, transforming homes into personal galleries suited to any taste,” said Bongjun Ko, Vice President of the Visual Display (VD) Business at Samsung Electronics. “Our advanced display technology brings priceless artworks into homes with stunning realism, so that anyone can become a collector.”

The collection will be featured in stunning 4K resolution on Samsung Art Store starting today, continuing Samsung’s longstanding partnership with Art Basel and extending the experience of the fair beyond the exhibition halls to audiences worldwide.

Introducing the Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 Collection

The Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 Collection features 25 artworks from 20 emerging and established artists represented by eight prestigious galleries: Bank, CLC Gallery Venture, Don Gallery, Tomio Koyama, Pearl Lam, Lin & Lin, Rossi & Rossi and Vacancy.

The carefully curated collection reflects the cultural dynamism and diverse viewpoints that define Hong Kong’s contemporary art scene. Highlights include:

• Chinese artistic heritage and innovation, represented through works by 11 Chinese artists spanning six decades of contemporary practice.
• Michael Najjar, “Europa” (2016). Najjar is a German painter and trained astronaut who is scheduled to participate in an upcoming spaceflight aboard Virgin Galactic’s VSS Unity.
• Sun Yitian, “Ken” (2023). Yitian’s work has been featured in major international collections, including a collaboration with Nicolas Ghesquière for Louis Vuitton’s Pre-Fall 2024 collection.
• Ha Bik Chuen, “Wheatfield A” (1994) and “Untitled” (1995). Chuen was a self-taught contemporary artist whose extensive archive spanning 500 boxes is being digitally catalogued by the Asia Art Archive for scholarly access.

“Art Basel Hong Kong is always looking for ways to broaden how people experience art,” said Angelle Siyang‑Le, Director of Art Basel Hong Kong. “Our partnership with Samsung helps bring art into our homes in a way that feels both accessible and truly high‑quality. It’s not about replacing the gallery — it’s about giving more people the chance to live with great art every day.”

Celebrating Cultural Legacy: The Lee Kun-Hee Collection

During Art Basel Hong Kong 2026, Samsung will also present a curated selection of 20 works from the Lee Kun-Hee Collection on Samsung Art Store, in partnership with the National Museum of Korea. Recognized as one of Korea’s most significant private art collections, the works from the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-Hee’s renowned art collection reflect a long-standing commitment to cultural preservation and public access.

These treasured pieces — including “Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks,” “Ten Symbols of Longevity” and “Scholar’s Accoutrements in a Bookcase” — have shaped artistic discourse across generations and continue to resonate with contemporary art circles.

The selection will be available on Samsung Art Store through January 2027, offering global audiences digital access to important works of Korean artistic heritage.

The National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art are also co-hosting “Korean National Treasures: 2,000 Years of Art,” the second overseas touring exhibition of the late Chairman Lee Kun-Hee’s donations, at The Art Institute of Chicago through July 5.

Samsung Art TV: Where Art and Technology Exist in Harmony

Samsung’s 2026 expanded Art TV lineup represents a fundamental belief that art belongs in everyday spaces, integrated seamlessly with technology and design. The lineup is led by The Frame and The Frame Pro, Samsung’s lifestyle TVs that blend display innovation with design to create an immersive art-viewing experience. The expanded lineup also includes Micro RGB, Neo QLED and the OLED,[1] offering consumers greater flexibility in how they incorporate premium art experiences into their living spaces.

Samsung Art Store is available across the complete Art TV lineup. The platform features over 5,000 works by 80+ partners, including the newly launched Art Basel Hong Kong 2026 Collection. As the world’s leading TV brand for 20 consecutive years,[2] Samsung continues to advance display innovation designed to faithfully render works of art.

For more information, please visit: https://news.samsung.com/my/

 
About Art Basel
Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the world’s premier art shows for modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, Paris and Qatar. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented, and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel’s engagement has expanded beyond art fairs through new digital platforms and initiatives, such as The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report, the Art Basel Shop and the Art Basel Awards. For further information, please visit artbasel.com.
 

[1]  S95H and S99H only.

[2] Omdia, Feb. 2025.

For the first time, Samsung Art Store^[1] users can display celebrated works such as Diego Rivera’s “The Flower Carrier” (1935), Henri Matisse’s “Femme au chapeau” (1905), Wayne Thiebaud’s “Display Cakes” (1963), Jackson Pollock’s “Guardians of the Secret” (1943), and Piet Mondrian’s “New York City 2” (1941) on select Samsung displays — transforming any room into a dynamic gallery space.

The collaboration makes these iconic works from SFMOMA’s collection more accessible than ever before. It also represents a significant expansion of Samsung Art Store’s offering of modern masters by introducing works by Robert Rauschenberg and Wayne Thiebaud to the platform for the first time.

“Samsung is committed to leveraging its market-leading visual display solutions and partnerships to maximize the richness of Samsung Art Store experience in homes across the world,” said Heeyeong Ahn, Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “Building on this commitment, our partnership with SFMOMA represents an exciting expansion into artworks by 20th-century masters — and we look forward to further enhancing our offerings through additional exciting, high-profile collaborations.”

“This partnership with Samsung Art Store opens an exciting new chapter in how we fulfill our mission to connect people with modern and contemporary art,” said Christopher Bedford, Helen and Charles Schwab Director of SFMOMA. “By making our collection available through innovative technology, we’re reaching audiences who may never visit San Francisco while creating new opportunities for art to enrich daily life around the world.”

​​​

Samsung Art TVs, comprising The Frame and The Frame Pro, are designed to display artwork with faithful color, exceptional detail and a gallery-like presentation. Pantone Validated ArtfulColor preserves the authenticity of the original palette. Anti-Reflection with Matte Display and customizable bezels^[2] mimic the look of framed artwork, and the included Slim Fit Wall Mount eliminates visible wires, all combining to create the look of an original work of art.

The Frame Pro adds an upgraded Neo QLED 4K display for even brighter color and sharper contrast. Plus, its Wireless One Connect Box^[3] eases installation and enables a clean, clutter-free setup. Across these TVs and several others, Samsung Art Store continues to champion the fusion of art and technology, turning living rooms into curated galleries.

By partnering with leading cultural institutions like SFMOMA, Samsung continues to democratize access to art while supporting museums’ missions to share their collections with broader audiences.

The SFMOMA collection joins Samsung Art Store’s growing library of over 80 partnerships, offering subscribers an ever-expanding selection of art across movements, styles and periods.

The collection is available now exclusively through Samsung Art Store on Samsung Art TVs.

For more information, visit: https://news.samsung.com/my/

About SFMOMA

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. Our remarkable collection of painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, design and media arts is housed in a LEED Gold-certified building designed by the global architects Snøhetta and Mario Botta. In addition to our seven gallery floors, SFMOMA now offers over 45,000 square feet of free, art-filled public space open to all.

[1] Paid-subscription required. Samsung Account required for network based smart services, including streaming apps and other smart features. Separate [connected] computer, mobile or other device may be necessary to create/log in to Samsung Account (free to download and create). Without Account log in, only external device connections (e.g., via HDMI) and terrestrial/over-the-air TV (only for TVs with tuners) available.

[2] Customizable bezels sold separately.

[3] Wireless One Connect must be connected to the TV wirelessly for full TV functionality. Wireless connection may be affected by surrounding environment, may not connect when enclosed or blocked by metal (e.g., from inside a metal cabinet) or by other physical objects such as walls. TV and Wireless One Connect require separate power cord connections.

Samsung Electronics and the National Museum of Korea today announced that they have made 20 carefully selected works from the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-Hee’s renowned art collection available on Samsung Art Store. A larger selection of the collection’s original pieces is currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, D.C.

High-resolution digital versions of the selected works — representative masterpieces of Korean art — can be viewed on Samsung Art Store’s National Museum of Korea page. Through this initiative, Samsung and the National Museum of Korea aim to introduce the richness and excellence of traditional Korean art to Samsung consumers worldwide.

Samsung TVs Offer a Korean Art Masterpiece Experience in High-Resolution 

The 20 artworks selected from the Lee Kun-Hee Collection are now viewable in stunning 4K resolution on Samsung TVs, offering users a vivid digital encounter with the masterpieces. A few featured works worth highlighting in Samsung Art Store include:

• “Clearing After Rain on Mount Inwang” (National Treasure No. 216) – A representative example of true-view landscape painting
• “Ten Symbols of Longevity” – A piece that symbolizes wishes for health and long life
• “Sound of Autumn” – An autumnal-themed piece by Kim Hongdo, a leading painter of the Joseon Dynasty
• “Sun, Moon, and Five Peaks” – A royal court painting symbolizing the Joseon monarchy

Additional works include “Banquet of King Yeongjo and Officials in Gyeonghyeondang Hall,” “Butterflies,” “Five Emperors of the Five Cardinal Directions,” “Four Underworld Messengers,” “The Flower Garland Sutra (Avatamsaka Sutra), Vol. 15,” “Scholar’s Accoutrements in a Bookcase,” “Gathering of Families with Multiple Generations of Government Service,” “Gudambong Peaks,” “Panels of a Man’s Ideal Life,” “Royal Banquet in the Imjin Year,” “Sea, Cranes, and Sacred Peaches,” “Tripitaka Bodhisattvas,” “Viewing the Capital From the Seobinggo Icehouse,” “The King Views the Dredging,” “Tiger and Magpie” and “Wrestling in the Afternoon,” all of which represent Korea’s artistic heritage.

Meanwhile, the National Museum of Korea is presenting the special exhibition “Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared” at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art. The exhibition showcases carefully selected works from the late Chairman Lee’s donated collection that embody the essence of Korean art.

The exhibition features more than 200 works including seven National Treasures, spanning 1,500 years of Korean creativity. Notably, it is the largest special exhibition of Korean art held in North America in over 40 years, drawing significant attention across Washington, as well as other regions of the United States.

The National Museum of Korea plans to continue the international tour of the Lee Kun-Hee Collection with exhibitions at:

• The Art Institute of Chicago (March–July 2026)
• The British Museum (Sept. 2026–Jan. 2027)

The 20 works released on Samsung Art Store will remain available for public viewing until January 2027, when the international touring exhibitions conclude.

The Lee Family Continues the Late Chairman’s Legacy Through Cultural Contributions 

“Even if collecting and preserving cultural heritage requires tremendous cost and time, I believe it is our duty to safeguard the future of our culture,” the late Chairman Lee once stated, demonstrating his devotion to cultural preservation.

Inheriting this philosophy of cultural contribution, Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Jay Y. Lee and other members of the Lee family donated more than 23,000 artworks from the late Chairman’s lifelong personal collection in April 2021 to institutions such as the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Since then, the Lee Kun-Hee Collection has toured museums around Korea, sparking widespread public interest in historical Korean art. It has been widely credited with expanding public access to culture and elevating the stature of Korea’s museums. Now, it is reaching global audiences through digital and physical exhibitions.

Samsung Art Store: High-Resolution Access to Collections From World-Class Museums

Available to users of Samsung’s The Frame, The Frame Pro and QLED models, Samsung Art Store is a subscription-based art service exclusively for Samsung TVs. More than 4,000 artworks in 4K resolution from over 50 renowned museums — including the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Art Institute of Chicago and Tate — as well as works by hundreds of artists worldwide, are available on Samsung Art Store. The service offers Samsung TV users in 117 countries a gallery-like viewing experience at home. Since 2024, Samsung has also served as the official display partner of Art Basel, the world’s largest art fair, showcasing works by contemporary artists featured at Art Basel through Samsung Art Store.

For more information, visit: https://news.samsung.com/my/

Seundja Rhee (1918-2009) forged a singular abstract language between Seoul and Paris, translating the cycles of nature, cityscapes and cosmic symbolism into color and form. Long recognized by curators and historians for expanding the possibilities of post-war abstract art, Rhee is one of the earliest Korean women artists to gain international recognition in the genre. A newly curated selection of her works is now available on Samsung Art Store, offering a close-up experience of her art without the limitations of time and place.

▲ Samsung Electronics presents the works of Seundja Rhee, the pioneering first-generation Korean abstract artist, to a global audience through the Samsung Art Store. (Photo: Rhee preparing materials for an art piece in her studio on Procession Street, Paris 1977)

Reintroducing a Modern Master of Abstract 

The launch of Rhee’s collection goes beyond a digital exhibition; it represents a unique collaboration between the extensive archives of Gallery Hyundai, which has dedicated years to documenting and researching her work, and Samsung’s innovative technology that brings new clarity into every layer of art. This partnership invites global audiences to rediscover a modern pioneer of abstract painting.

Samsung Newsroom spoke with Young-Sook Kwon, director of Gallery Hyundai, about Seundja Rhee’s artistic legacy and the significance of bringing her work into the digital age.

A Pioneer Who Pushed the Boundaries of Korean Abstract Art

Q. How is Rhee recognized in Korean abstract art history?

She is regarded as the first woman abstract artist in Korea, one who independently expanded the language of abstraction through continuous stylistic development. While in Paris, Rhee went studied abstract painting and sculpture at the Académie de la Grande Chaumière, an institution known for shaping artists such as Pablo Picasso and Paul Gauguin. This experience deepened her appreciation for contemporary abstract art. In 1956, she debuted at the National Society of Fine Arts exhibition, where critic George Boudaille praised her work, marking her entry into the European art scene.

Over her remarkable six-decade career, she endured both the hardships of a turbulent modern era and the personal constraints of a patriarchal and traditional society, overcoming that pain through art.

Her style remains distinctive even within contemporary abstract art, portraying art as a creative energy that heals wounds and reflects on human existence, rather than the expressionists, who conveyed the unrestrained expression of their inner selves. Throughout her life, she imbued her work with a worldview that continually evolved and expanded.

▲ “A Mother I Remember” (1962), featured on the 2025 Samsung Neo QLED, is part of Rhee’s “Woman and Earth” series. The work captures the artist’s childhood memories of her mother and nostalgia for Korea. It’s available on Samsung Art Store.

Q. What is the key theme or aesthetic characteristic that runs through her work? 

Her art reflects the pursuit of harmony with all things in the universe, a balance achieved through unity with nature and a long-standing virtue in Korean spiritual culture. Her ability to express this Eastern philosophy within the framework of Western abstract painting marks a significant contribution to both Korean and global art history.

A phrase that aptly encapsulates her artistic vision could be: “Yin, Yang, and the Milky Way Flowing Between Them,” as proposed by art critic Eun-rok Shim in the book commemorating the 100th anniversary of Rhee’s birth. A phrase that, in my view, beautifully articulates her worldview.

Samsung Art Store: A Digital Platform That Brings the Artist’s Touch and Spirit to Life

Q. What significance does the extensive archive of Gallery Hyundai, which has worked closely with Rhee for nearly 70 years, hold in Korean art history, and how does it facilitate a re-examination of her artistic legacy?

Our extensive archives provide a rich foundation for research from multiple perspectives. Seundja Rhee stands alongside Whanki Kim and Youngkuk Yoo as a pioneer of Korean abstract art, having boldly moved to Paris despite the hardships posed by the Korean War and gaining significant recognition there as a woman artist. In 1974, Gallery Hyundai’s founder, Myung-ja Park, hosted Rhee’s solo exhibition devoted entirely to her abstract works. It marked the beginning of the gallery’s longstanding support of Korea’s first woman abstract painter, who later became the gallery’s exclusive artist.

Rhee’s story, one that charts a new abstract language distinct from the trajectory of Western modernism, continues to inspire artists of all generations who are shaped by different cultures. After a 20th century largely dominated by male narratives in contemporary art, our journey with Rhee stands as a significant milestone in art history, particularly at a moment when there is a renewed interest in revisiting the contributions of women artists.

In 2018, Gallery Hyundai commemorated the 100th anniversary of Seundja Rhee’s birth with a major exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, drawing on its extensive artist archives. Building on this legacy, we are now preparing a new exhibition that will feature many materials not yet released to the public.

Q. What motivated this collaboration with Samsung Art Story? What do you hope to achieve from making Rhee’s works accessible to the public?

I believe that Samsung Art Store, as a digital platform that transcends physical boundaries, can introduce her work to audiences in many countries who might not have had the opportunity to experience it in person. I hope this collaboration allows more generations to discover the joy of engaging with her art.

▲ “The Snow from Vaugirard Street,” displayed on the 2025 Samsung Neo QLED, depicts the view from Rhee’s sixth-floor room in Montparnasse, where she moved in 1955. The painting captures Paris through a fractured sense of perspective, with simplified forms in the background and a snow-covered foreground that appears to reach towards the viewer. It’s available on Samsung Art Store.

Q. How does the Art Store enhance the experience of Rhee’s work?

Her paintings are known for their delicate, intricate layers that overlap the canvas. Her woodblock prints reveal her signature carving techniques — short, thick lines that taper to a fine point. On a digital screen, viewers can observe her unique touch more closely and take their time appreciating the spirit she infuses into each piece. This is the aspect of the collaboration I find most exciting.

Q. How did you curate the collection for the Art Store?

We selected representative pieces from different periods of her career, along with works of significant importance. The collection spans from her 1959 piece, marking a transition towards abstract art, to the “Cosmos” series created during her final years, tracing the evolution of her worldview throughout her life.

Q. What are your top three works from Rhee available through the Art Store?

1. No. 1 “The Snow from Vaugirard Street”– completed five years after she began her journey in the art world.

2. No. 7 “A Mother I Remember”– a defining work from the 1960s.

3. No. 19 “A City of September”– her final painting.

Q. Do you have a message for the public encountering her work for the first time through this launch?

Life is never without challenges, and Rhee’s was no exception. Born in 1918 during the Japanese colonial period, she endured both personal loss and the upheavals of modern history. Yet, she maintained extraordinary courage and strength, using art to express essential themes such as communication, coexistence, and the joy of life. Through Samsung Art Store, I hope audiences will find a deep appreciation for the vibrancy of life that fills her canvases.

▲ “A City of September” (2008), displayed on the 2025 Samsung Neo QLED, is Rhee’s final work, completed at the age of 90. This piece reflects the culmination of her artistic journey, suggesting a return to the transcendent universe through a harmony of opposing forces in life. It’s available on Samsung Art Store.

A Journey of Life That Becomes Art

Q. What motivated her to consistently change her style of work and explore new themes?

Rhee’s “Woman and Earth” series from the 1960s reflects her maternal love as a painter, capturing her longing for her sons and her desire to be a proud mother — feelings that continued until her first exhibition in Korea in 1965. Every brushstroke and carved line carries that nurturing spirit, as if she were offering a spoonful of rice to her children and gently patting them on the head.

▲ During the 1950s and 1960s, when few women artists were recognized, Rhee established herself in France through her exceptional talent and active participation in the local culture.

Her perspective shifted from depicting life on the ground in the 1960s to capturing the city skyline in her “Superimposition” and vertical repetition in “The City” series in the 1970s. After returning to Seoul and reuniting with her sons in 1965, she found a renewed sense of emotional freedom. A visit to New York in 1969 was another turning point, as the skyscrapers and the city’s vibrant skyline left an impression on her. The night view from the Empire State Building, with its intermingling lights and rushing traffic, found its way into her art through intersecting lines and brighter colors. Rhee’s evolving approach to life is intricately reflected in her work, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to express meaningful messages through painting while contemplating the cycles of existence. In this way, her attitude towards life has been reflected in her works. I think she was able to continuously grow and evolve because she never stopped challenging herself to contemplate life along its cycles and to express the messages she wanted to share with the world through her paintings throughout the cycle of life.“

Q. How can we interpret her use of the ‘semicircle where Yin and Yang meet’ as a signature motif, and what is its significance?

Rhee’s interest in art as a form of communication led her to explore symbols and geometric motifs that could transcend borders and languages. The image of the large Taegeuk pattern on the Sungnyemun Gate of the Royal Tomb of King Suro, which she visited with her father as a child, left a strong impression on her. She recalls passing through that gate, feeling as if she were escaping the oppressive reality of the Japanese colonial period and entering a mystical world. She expresses the idea of “coexistence of conflicting elements,” such as Yin and Yang, East and West, earth and sky, reality and ideal — all on a single canvas, creating her own universe.

▲ Milky Way, Rhee’s self-designed atelier, has been designated as a cultural heritage site by the French government. Its semicircular design symbolizes the balance of Yin and Yang.

As you explore her work, may you also feel the depth of her intelligence, sensitivity and spirituality — qualities that grew stronger as she overcame adversity and found healing through art.

For more information, visit: https://news.samsung.com/my/

Samsung Electronics, global display leader and provider of the Official Art TV of Art Basel, today announced the launch of the Art Basel Miami Beach 2025 Collection, a curated digital exhibition spotlighting 24 contemporary artists who will be showcased at Art Basel Miami Beach from December 5-7,¹available exclusively on Samsung Art Store.

“With the Art Basel Miami Beach 2025 collection, we wanted to bring the distinct energy of the show directly into people’s homes,” said Daria Greene, Head of Content and Curation for Samsung Art Store. “Each artwork carries its own cultural perspective, expanding the ever-growing collection we offer on Samsung Art Store.”

The Art Basel Miami Beach 2025 Collection features artwork by emerging and established artists from around the world, presented by seven of the world’s top galleries — Instituto de Visión, Kurimanzutto, Meredith Rosen Gallery, Nina Johnson, Vermelho, Sean Kelly and Charlie James Gallery. The hand-selected digital collection reflects the cultural richness and diverse voices that define contemporary art today.

Highlights include:

• Olinda Silvano, “Energía de la visión de Ayahuasca” (2022), presented by Instituto de visión
• The Pérez Bros., “Victoria Park” (2025), presented by Charlie James Gallery
• George Nelson Preston, “Apenas Cinco Semanas Da Kissama e as Colinas Do Brasil Nos Surpreenderam” (2019), presented by Nina Johnson
• Jennifer Rubell, “40 Hearts” (2018), presented by Meredith Rosen Gallery
• Aycoobo, “Luna Ilena” (2024), presented by Instituto de visión

This is the fifth Art Basel digital art collection featured on Samsung Art Store. As part of Samsung’s longstanding partnership with the show, each collection aims to reflect the global reach of artists and galleries showcased at Art Basel, bringing that discovery directly into homes worldwide across the Samsung 2025 TV lineup.

“Art Basel’s partnership with Samsung continues to expand the ways in which our galleries and artists can reach new audiences,” said Vincenzo de Bellis, Chief Artistic Officer and Global Director of Art Basel Fairs. “By bringing a curated selection from Art Basel Miami Beach into homes around the world, this initiative extends the fair’s artistic vision beyond the halls of the convention center and broadens the possibilities for discovery, engagement and visibility. We are delighted to see these works presented on Samsung Art Store, reflecting the depth of our exhibitors, the global resonance of their artists and the evolving formats through which contemporary art is experienced today.”

Samsung has led the global TV market for 19 consecutive years,² delivering the exceptional picture quality that fine art demands. Samsung Art Store features more than 4,000 works by over 800 artists, including the Art Basel Miami Beach 2025 Collection.

For more information, visit https://www.samsung.com/my/³

About Art Basel

Founded in 1970 by gallerists from Basel, Art Basel today stages the world’s premier art shows for Modern and contemporary art, sited in Basel, Miami Beach, Hong Kong, Paris and Qatar. Defined by its host city and region, each show is unique, which is reflected in its participating galleries, artworks presented and the content of parallel programming produced in collaboration with local institutions for each edition. Art Basel’s engagement has expanded beyond art fairs through new digital initiatives including Zero 10 the Art Basel App and through programs such as the Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report, the Art Basel Shop and the Art Basel Awards. For further information, please visit artbasel.com.

¹ Art Basel Miami Beach is open to the public from December 5-7, following by-invitation-only access from December 3-4. ︎

² Source: Omdia, Feb-2025 (Results are not an endorsement of Samsung). ︎

³ This press release has been updated for clarity. ︎

▲ The Frame displaying “Metamorphosis of Narcissus” by Salvador Dalí

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced the addition of 15 new artworks from Tate to Samsung Art Store. This expansion builds on the platform’s existing partnerships with renowned institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum and many more. By integrating Tate collection, Samsung Art Store continues to bridge the gap between world-class museums and cultural institutions, bringing masterpieces directly into homes.

The new Tate collection includes iconic modern masters such as Henri Matisse, Salvador Dalí, Mark Rothko and Roy Lichtenstein — the first pop art artists to appear on the Art Store — as well as leading contemporary artists like Peter Doig and Beatriz Milhazes.

Among the highlights are some of Tate Modern’s most celebrated works: Roy Lichtenstein’s “Whaam!” Henri Matisse’s “The Snail,” a must-see in the Tate’s permanent collection; and Jackson Pollock’s “Yellow Islands.” The collection also offers a glimpse into the breadth and energy of modern and contemporary art by showcasing British painter Howard Hodgkin, alongside Peter Doig’s dreamlike “Echo Lake” and “Ski Jacket.”

▲ Samsung Neo QLED displaying “Dinner at West Hill (1964-6)” by Howard Hodgkin

With these new additions, Samsung Art Store further expands its mission to democratize access to art, making it possible for anyone to enjoy museum-quality works from home, with ease. By bringing together partners from across the globe — from New York, to Madrid to London — the platform offers a unique opportunity to experience the depth and versatility of modern and contemporary art. And with Tate now joining the lineup, art lovers can enjoy a collection that speaks to both heritage and innovation.

“Samsung Art Store is dedicated to providing people with the opportunity to experience world-class art in the comfort of their living rooms,” said Heeyeong Ahn, Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “By expanding our offerings to pieces from Tate, we are taking another step in supporting the irreplaceable experience of seeing art in person.”

Discover Exclusive Artwork Across Samsung TVs

With Samsung Art Store available across the 2025 Samsung TV lineup — such as its QLED TVs and the award-winning The Frame and The Frame Pro — art from the world’s leading artists, museums and galleries is more accessible than ever.

As Samsung’s most advanced art TV yet, The Frame Pro features an upgraded Neo QLED screen for brighter colors, sharper contrasts and deeper blacks. Its Wireless One Connect Box[1] makes installation seamless, enabling users to keep cables out of sight up to 30 feet away so they can truly enjoy the TV’s gallery-worthy picture. Plus, it’s designed with an Anti-Reflection Matte Display that makes art look true-to-life and is fully customizable — from its bezels[2] to its size — offering the perfect complement to any décor.

This year, Samsung Art Store also expanded to the Neo QLED 8K, Neo QLED 4K and QLED series, unlocking even more ways for users to enjoy art in their homes.

To learn more, visit: https://www.samsung.com/my/lifestyle-tvs/the-frame/art-mode/

[1] Wireless One Connect must be connected to the TV wirelessly for full TV functionality. Wireless connection may be affected by the surrounding environment and may not connect when enclosed or blocked by metal (e.g., from inside a metal cabinet) or by other physical objects such as walls. TV and Wireless One Connect require separate power cord connections.

[2] Bezels sold separately.

The collaboration merges the elegance of Samsung Art TVs with Liberty’s world-renowned archive, making the stunning designs available as digital artworks for the first time. Samsung curators worked closely with the in-house Liberty team to select patterns that would translate beautifully into a large-scale digital display that is alive with detail, light and color.

“This partnership was driven by a shared desire to celebrate British design in new ways,” said Rachael Roberts, Partnerships Manager at Samsung UK. “With no other British design houses currently represented on Samsung Art Store, it felt like the perfect opportunity to bring Liberty’s unique voice to our global audience.”

▲ One of the most celebrated designs from Liberty named Artemis (2023), shown on 2025 The Frame by Samsung.

Founded in 1875, Liberty has long been a symbol of British creativity and craftsmanship. Known for its distinctive prints and established history of design innovation, the brand’s influence spans art, fashion and interiors. For this partnership, the collection is introduced with Artemis as the featured design — a bold, botanical take on a classic Liberty design. Spanning over a century of heritage and creativity, the collection includes everything from the whimsical Enchanted Wood to the vibrant Jungle Trip design.

“At Liberty, we’ve always believed in design that tells a story, and stories that evolve with time,” said Pere Bruach, Design Manager at Liberty. “Partnering with Samsung allowed us to reimagine our most iconic prints as living art, infusing them with a new dimension. These works, once found on silk and paper, are now reinterpreted for the home — bringing the spirit of Liberty and the timeless beauty of pattern and print into people’s everyday spaces.”

▲ 2025 The Frame Pro showcases ‘Marina’s Tea Garden,’ from Liberty’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection. This bold floral pattern has been meticulously recreated to capture the rich colors and subtle tones of gouache brushstrokes. Available as a digital artwork tailored to Samsung Art Store, it brings character, history and a touch of British charm to living spaces everywhere.

Among the 20 Liberty designs featured, standout works include “Artemis,” “Marina’s Tea Garden,” “Fantasy Land,” and “My Grown Up Star,” from Liberty’s Autumn/Winter 2025 collection. Each design is presented as a digital artwork tailored to Samsung Art Store, bringing character, history and a touch of British charm into living spaces everywhere.

“When selecting the right pieces for Samsung Art Store, we were drawn to those that best encapsulate Liberty’s visual language,” Bruach added. “From nostalgic 1930s florals and hand-painted botanicals to eclectic geometric designs and enchanting landscapes, the collection reflects the full spectrum of our creative heritage. Artemis, for example, felt like a natural fit for The Frame — it speaks to the blend of tradition and modernity that defines both our brands.”

“Liberty’s legacy of storytelling makes them a dream partner,” said Roberts. “Our vision for the Art Store has always been to make art and design that brings meaning to people’s lives accessible, and Liberty’s prints bring exactly that — a daily joy and a sense of place.”

This new collaboration underscores Samsung Art Store’s mission to democratize access to global art, with a growing archive of over 3,500 artworks from the world’s most renowned museums and art institutions. Now, with the addition of Liberty’s British classics, a new chapter in which printmaking heritage meets innovation begins.

About Liberty 
Liberty is a movement dedicated to discovery, animated by arts, culture, design and the pursuit of beauty. Liberty is famed for its original curation, directional design and celebration of craftsmanship. In the spirit of our founder, Arthur Lasenby Liberty, we remain unapologetically eccentric and committed to bringing good design to all.

[1] Liberty artworks are available through the Samsung Art Store in all service countries except India.