A Ram Park

A Ram Park is a Researcher at the School of Arts, SOAS, University of London, focusing on interdisciplinary studies of East Asian Buddhist art and gendered narratives.

Education:

• BA in Fine Art (Studio Practice and Contemporary Critical Studies) from Goldsmiths College, University of London
• MA in Art History from Seoul National University
• MA in History of Art and Archaeology of East Asia from SOAS, University of London

Research interests include Buddhist art history, gender studies, foreign relations, and comparative analysis on palace politics, with a focus on elite women’s Buddhist patronage in Korea and Japan (1200–1700). His work interrogates female agencies under patriarchal laws and state ideology, examining sponsored Buddhist images and textual critiques. Future research explores diplomatic gift-giving in pre-modern East Asia and its role in consolidating foreign alliances through Buddhist belief.

Scientific awards:

• Certificate for completing the Global Empowerment Project (Sakyadhita Korea International Association of Buddhist Women, February 2023)

Advising and affiliations: Supervised by Professors Charlotte Horlyck and Timon Screech, Park has taught Korean Buddhist art, presented at international conferences, and interned at the National Museum of Korea, developing expertise in project management, archiving, and exhibition editing. He is also affiliated with SOAS programs like the Postgraduate Diploma in Museum Studies and MA Curating Cultures.