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Art Theory_Art Insight The Conditions of the Post-Contemporary and the Future of Korean Contemporary Art (17): Asian Contemporary Art and Orientalism (III) — How Can Korean Contemporary Art Become a Major Site of Production in the Global Art World? Moving beyond Orientalism entails more than shifting the center from the West to Asia. It requires transforming the structure through which particular actors have classified and evaluated the art of other regions, while developing new values and criteria grounded in diverse histories and experiences. What is needed is a new system of knowledge—one that recognizes the achievements of Western art history as a shared global legacy without treating them as the sole standard of judgment.
2026.09.08

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Art Focus

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Art Spectrum

Introducing the latest trends and diverse movements in Korean contemporary art.

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Art Voice

Critical discourse and voices on key issues in the Korean contemporary art scene.
Biennale_Art Voice Between Art and Politics: The “Taiwan Pavilion” Naming Dispute and the China Pavilion’s Withdrawal from the Gwangju Biennale

The 16th Gwangju Biennale opened on September 5, 2026. Titled 《You Must Change Your Life》, the biennale presents its main exhibition and pavilion projects through November 15.

2026.09.08
Art+_Art Voice What It Takes to Be a Cultural Powerhouse in the 21st Century — On the Search for a New Director of MMCA

On July 1, the Ministry of Personnel Management opened a public recruitment process for a new director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA). The term of current director Kim Sung-hee expires this September. As the search began, the names of several potential candidates quickly started circulating within the Korean art world.

2026.08.18
Art+_Art Voice Can Korean Art Evolve from a Market into an Industry? Questions Raised by the Art Services Business Registration System and the Challenges Facing Korean Art

On July 26, 2026, the Art Services Business Registration System came into effect under the Art Promotion Act. Businesses operating in six categories—galleries, art auctions, art advisory services, art rental and sales, art appraisal, and art exhibitions—are now required to register with the relevant local authority.

2026.08.04
Art+_Art Voice The Changing Ecosystem of Korean Contemporary Art: From Nonprofit Spaces to Self-Sustaining Independent Spaces

Art spaces are more than venues for exhibiting works of art. They serve as vital intermediaries that discover new artists, generate critical discourse, and connect audiences, markets, and institutions. Changes in these spaces, therefore, are not simply matters of individual organizations adopting different modes of operation. They are important indicators of how the contemporary art ecosystem has evolved and the direction in which it is moving.

2026.07.21
Art+_Art Voice What Are Global Standards? The Criteria Korean Contemporary Art Needs to Connect with the World

In Korean society, internationalization and globalization emerged as major national agendas between the late 1980s and the mid-1990s. The 1988 Seoul Olympics was a symbolic event through which Korea began to present itself to the international community in a more visible and active way. In the 1990s, Korea rapidly entered the global order through democratization, market liberalization, cultural exchange, and participation in international organizations.

2026.07.07
Art Online_Art Voice Art Is Not Money, Money Is Not Art, The Artnet–Artsy Merger: An Impossible Project

One of the most significant stories in the global art world recently has been Pace Gallery’s large-scale staff reductions and restructuring of its artist roster. Across the international art community, the news was widely interpreted as a sign of crisis within the mega-gallery model.

2026.06.23

Art Insights

Providing insightful perspectives and in-depth analysis of Korean contemporary art.
Art+_Art Insight George Condo: The Boundary Between Popularity and Value

In the contemporary art market, George Condo is recognized for his original style and strong portrayal of characters. His works fetch high prices at auction and often appear in the collections of high-profile collectors.

2024.12.03
Art+_Art Insight A $6.2 Million Banana: The End of Art or a New Beginning?

On November 20th, Maurizio Cattelan’s artwork, Comedian, once again stunned the world when it sold for $6.2 million (approximately KRW 8.67 billion) at Sotheby’s in New York. This event transcends mere sensationalism, offering a philosophical lens to reassess how contemporary art functions within the capitalist system.

2024.11.26
Artist_Art Insight The Atmosphere of That Day and Place

Jong Oh has been creating work that involves staying in the space where his pieces will be installed, observing and feeling the architectural elements and invisible sensations of that place, and visualizing these through constructive forms.

2024.10.15
Art Theory_Art Guide Modern, Postmodern, Contemporary

What we commonly refer to as "art" (예술 in Korean) consists of "craft" (藝) and "technique" (術). The English word "art" originates from the Greek word "ars," meaning technique (techne). Before the 17th century, practical arts such as architecture, crafts, and design were all referred to as "art." However, as painting and sculpture separated from architecture, they came to be called fine art.

2024.10.08
Art Theory_Art Insight Illuminating Korean Experimental Art (6)

Korean experimental art is driven by artists seeking to experiment and innovate and is comprised of attempts to overcome conventional art forms and experiences. In these attempts, artists have pushed the boundaries of convention and created original works, helping shape a culture that values artistic freedom and diversity.

2023.09.18
Art Theory_Art Insight Illuminating Korean Experimental Art (5)

While there are countless artists who have contributed to the development of the experimental art movement, we will highlight a few of them in the hope that their work will help more people to better understand the landscape of experimental art in Korea.

2023.09.11