A new exhibition ‘Knitted Together: The Korean Lives and Legacies of Richard and Joan Rutt’, focusing on the lives of two of the main donors to the Oriental Museum’s Korean collection, is now on display.
Richard Rutt was Bishop of Daejeon in South Korea from 1968 – 1974 and first moved to South Korea to work as a priest a year after the end of the Korean War, in 1954. After he and his wife, Joan, returned to the UK in 1974, he served as the Bishop of Leicester, and his pastime of knitting resulting in him becoming widely known as ‘The Knitting Bishop’.The exhibition features objects from the Museum’s Korean collection donated by the Rutts, alongside items relating to Richard’s famed knitting, including a knitted mitre. It also includes objects relating to the Rutt’s other interests, such as translation, the Anglican Church in Korea, and their shared love of cats.
Moments in time
The Rutt Collection is almost like a time-capsule of South Korea in the mid-twentieth century. The South Korea that the Rutts lived in was emerging from the aftermath of the Korean War, during rapid change and development. This is captured in both the objects that they used in their home and through the photographs taken by Richard Rutt, many of which are on display to the public for the first time.
National Museum of KoreaRichard Rutt later became the Chair of the Royal Asiatic Society Korea Branch, giving lectures at National Museum of Korea. His legacy continues today as this exhibition is part of a project generously supported by the National Museum of Korea, which is strengthening the support of Korean galleries, tailored to the characteristics of each region and institution.
Kim Jae Hong, Director General of the National Museum of Korea, said “The National Museum of Korea is strengthening its support for Korean galleries that are tailored to the characteristics of each region and institution" and added, "Support for leading university museums overseas, such as in the case for the Oriental Museum at Durham University in the UK, contributes greatly to the revitalization of related research and the expansion of the participation of university and community members. Going forward, the National Museum of Korea will continue its efforts to nurture potential Korean culture lovers around the world "
The exhibition runs at the Oriental Museum until 4 May 2025. Find out more:
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