Yeonjoo (Amanda) Hahn

Thesis: Buddhist Temple Wall Paintings in South Korea: a Conservation Assessment

Supervised by Professor Antony Eastmond and Dr Austin Nevin with Sibylla Tringham

In the past, Buddhist temple wall paintings have been undervalued and thus destroyed, covered or detached despite their artistic, historic and religious importance. A systematic assessment of the conservation issues facing these temples wall paintings is crucial for effectively planning their future conservation as a discrete part of the cultural heritage of Korea.

The proposed research aims to identify, through the case studies, assessment and investigation criteria for a long-term conservation framework for Buddhist temple wall paintings in South Korea. Primarily to elucidate the overall factors that are likely to affect the preservation of wall paintings in Korea. The research will explore government policies and international principles and guidelines on conservation assessment and applying criteria established in international policy documents (such as China Principles 2015). This would be complemented by then identifying potential conservation issues specific to its original techniques, environmental conditions and management of Buddhist temple wall paintings.