Artist_News Kwak Duck-Jun, Pioneering First-Generation Korean Experimental Artist, Passes Away at 88
On July 26, pioneering first-generation Korean experimental artist Kwak Duck-Jun passed away at the age of 88. Kwak Duck-Jun (1937-2025) holds a pivotal position in the history of artistic exchange between Korea and Japan. He has served as a key bridge between the two countries’ contemporary art scenes, particularly in the development of experimental art, while devising his distinctive artistic language.
2025.08.19
Artist_News Artist Kimsooja Promoted to 'Officer' Rank in French Cultural Order
Renowned Korean artist Kimsooja was awarded the Officier (Officer) of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government on July 9 at the French Ambassador’s residence in Seoul. This marks her second French cultural honor, following the Chevalier distinction she received in 2017.
2025.07.22
Artist_News 10 Artists to Watch This Year, Selected by Kiaf SEOUL
The Galleries Association of Korea officially announced the 10 semifinalist artists for ‘2025 Kiaf HIGHLIGHTS’ on July 3, ahead of the upcoming Kiaf SEOUL 2025 in September. This program signals a new chapter in the art scene by highlighting emerging talents.
Museum_News MMCA Presents “Museum on the Road”
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA, Director: Kim Sung-hee) is presenting a “Museum on the Road” through the newly established Digital Zone along the Yeouido–Noryangjin section of Olympic-daero in Seoul.
2025.07.22
Museum_News Busan MoCA’s Rebranding Project Wins at 'TDC Awards 2025'
The rebranding project of the Busan Museum of Contemporary Art (Busan MoCA) has won a Main Award in the Communication Design category at the 2025 TDC (Type Directors Club) Awards in New York, one of the world’s most prestigious design competitions.
2025.06.24
Museum_News Photography Seoul Museum of Art, Korea’s First Public Museum Dedicated to Photographic Media, Opens on May 29
The Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) will open the Photography Seoul Museum of Art (Photo SeMA) on May 29, marking the launch of Korea’s only public art museum dedicated to photographic media. Located in Chang-dong, Dobong-gu, the newly built museum will serve as a branch of SeMA and has been in development for over a decade in preparation for its opening.
2025.05.27
Museum_News MMCA’s “Ron Mueck” Exhibition Draws Over 210,000 Visitors in First Month
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) announced that its exhibition 《Ron Mueck》, currently on view at the Seoul branch, has attracted more than 210,000 visitors within just over 30 days since its opening.
Museum_News Hong Ra-hee, Former Director of Leeum Museum of Art, Returns as Honorary Director After 8 Years
Hong Ra-hee, who resigned from the position of director at the Leeum Museum of Art in 2017, has returned to the art world as an honorary director after eight years. On April 2, the Samsung Foundation of Culture announced this news in conjunction with the opening of the special exhibition 《Gyeomjae Jeong Seon》at the Hoam Museum of Art, celebrating its 60th anniversary.
Nonprofit_News Korean Selected as the Official Guest Language for the 2026 Festival d’Avignon
Korean has been selected as the official guest language for next year’s Festival d’Avignon, the world’s largest performing arts festival held annually in Avignon, France. This marks the first time an Asian language has been chosen, and the only instance in which a single national language has received this distinction.
Biennale_News See Art Festival 2025 “Undercurrents: Waves Walking on the Water” Opens on September 27
The Busan Biennale Organizing Committee has announced that the Sea Art Festival 2025 will take place under the theme 《Undercurrents: Waves Walking on the Water》 at Dadaepo Beach and its surrounding areas from September 27 to November 2, spanning a total of 37 days.
Art Market_News South Korea’s MCST Plans to Implement Art Policies for the Continued Growth of the Korean Art Market, Which Exceeded 1 Trillion KRW in 2022
Over the past year, many local experts predicted that the size of the Korean art market would surpass 1 trillion KRW (Korean won) in 2022. This speculation has turned out to be true, as the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Korea Arts Management Service (KAMS) announced on January 4, 2023, that the size of the art market in 2022 was estimated to be 1.0377 trillion KRW (approximately $1 billion USD).
Gallery_News Five Young Galleries to Watch in Seoul, Picked by ARTnews
On September 1, ARTnews, the American art magazine, spotlighted five emerging Seoul galleries to watch. Unlike the city’s more traditional galleries, these new spaces stand out for their distinctive sense of place and independent programs. The ARTnews highlighted PS CENTER, WWNN, Shower, Sangheeut, and Xlarge.
Gallery_News Gallery Hyundai Selected Among “The 10 Best Booths at Art Basel 2025”
Gallery Hyundai’s booth (G13) at Art Basel 2025 has been selected by Artsy as one of “The 10 Best Booths at Art Basel 2025.” The featured presentation is a solo booth dedicated to Seung-taek Lee, a pioneering figure in Korean experimental art, and is the only solo presentation among the ten selected booths.
2025.07.01
Gallery_News ‘Frieze House Seoul,’ a New Exhibition Platform, to Open This September
The global art fair Frieze is set to open a new exhibition platform, Frieze House Seoul, this September in the Yaksu-dong in Seoul. Modeled after No.9 Cork Street, Frieze’s permanent exhibition space in London, this venue will host a year-round program of curated exhibitions, performances, and short-term residencies.
Gallery_News ARARIO GALLERY SHANGHAI Has Relocated to SUHE HAUS in Jing’an District
ARARIO GALLERY SHANGHAI has relocated to SUHE HAUS, a cultural space along the Suzhou Creek in Jing’an District. ARARIO GALLERY opened its first Chinese branch in 2005 in the Jiu Chang Art District, Beijing. The Beijing space, which operated successfully for over seven years, closed its doors in 2012.
Auction_News Seoul Auction to Host ‘Connect Seoul 2024’ During Frieze·Kiaf Seoul Week
Seoul Auctions hosts ‘Connect Seoul 2024,’ a series of exhibitions and events from August 24 to September 13 at its Gangnam Center, to coincide with Frieze-Kiaf Seoul Week. Connect Seoul consists of two special exhibitions highlighting major Korean and international artists of modern and contemporary art, a group exhibition of media art, and a preview of upcoming auctions.
2024.09.03
Auction_News SBI Art Auction to Host Its First Overseas Auction Preview at Art Chosun Space in Seoul
Japan’s SBI Art Auction will present its first overseas auction preview, "Early Highlight Viewing in Seoul," from October 1 to 6 at Art Chosun Space (ACS) in Gwanghwamun, Seoul. The preview is part of the "68th SBI Art Auction | MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART" to be held on October 25 and 26.
2024.08.13
Auction_News Global Auction House Phillips Appoints Lim Yeon-ah to Lead the Korean office
On the 5th, Phillips, one of the world’s top three auction houses, appointed Lim Yeon-ah as the head of its Korean office.
Since joining Phillips in 2020, she has overseen Phillips exhibitions during the Frieze Seoul art fair over the past two years.
Auction_News Christie’s First Exhibition in South Korea, What Does This Mean for the Local Art Market?
The booming Korean art market attracts many international art galleries and art fairs to Seoul. World-renowned galleries, including König Galerie, Thaddeus Ropac, and Gladstone Gallery, have opened a branch in Seoul, and Frieze has partnered with Kiaf SEOUL to hold art fairs in Seoul for five years from this year.
Art Fair_News Highlights to Watch at ‘Kiaf SEOUL 2025’
From September 3 to 7, Kiaf SEOUL 2025, the largest art fair in Korea, will take place at COEX in Seoul. This year’s edition brings together 175 galleries from over 20 countries.
2025.09.02
Art Fair_News 10 Must-See Artists Selected by ‘Frieze Seoul 2025’
At Frieze Seoul 2025, a wide range of solo presentations will unfold across the Galleries, Focus Asia, and Masters sections. The fair will not only highlight the breadth of historically significant artists’ careers but also spotlight bold new works and large-scale installations by emerging talents.
2025.09.02
Art Fair_News An Open Platform for Artistic Discourse at ‘Kiaf·Frieze Seoul 2025’
At Korea’s largest art fairs, Kiaf·Frieze Seoul 2025, an open platform for artistic discourse, the “Kiaf x KAMS x Frieze Seoul Talk Program”, will take place from September 4 to 6 at Studio 159 on the 2nd floor of COEX, Seoul.
2025.09.02
Art Fair_News How to Enjoy ‘Frieze Seoul 2025’ to the Fullest
The fourth edition of the Frieze Seoul returns to COEX in the city’s Gangnam neighbourhood from 3 – 6 September, and, in keeping with previous editions, will feature an expansive programme of live art and performance, film, talks and artist projects alongside presentations from 120 galleries.
2025.08.26
Art Fair_News ‘Kiaf SEOUL 2025’ to Unfold as a Vibrant Art Festival
Kiaf SEOUL 2025, Korea’s largest art fair, will take place from Wednesday, September 3 to Sunday, September 7 at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul. During Kiaf Art Week, Kiaf will collaborate with Frieze Seoul as well as domestic and international art institutions to present a wide range of programs, offering audiences a unique opportunity to engage with art.
2025.08.26
Art Fair_News Korean Galleries Make Strong Statement at Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 Amid Market Slowdown
Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 officially opened on March 26 with a VIP preview at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, drawing attention as Asia’s largest art fair resumes at full scale. Despite a global art market slowdown, Korean galleries are showing remarkable presence and vitality at this year’s event.
Art+_News World’s First ‘MoMA Bookstore’ Opens in Seoul
On the 9th, Hyundai Card announced the opening of the first-ever MoMA Bookstore in Seoul’s Apgujeong district, featuring a curated selection of books and merchandise from the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York.
Art+_News Corporate Support for the Arts in Korea Rose by 1.8% Last Year
According to the ‘2024 Survey on Corporate Support for the Arts’ published by the Korea Mecenat Association, total corporate support for arts and culture in South Korea reached 212.52 billion KRW in 2024, marking a 1.8% increase from the previous year.
Art+_News Hyundai Department Store Signs 3-Year Partnership with The Metropolitan Museum of Art
On June 30, Hyundai Department Store Group announced that it has signed a three-year sponsorship agreement with The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, one of the world’s most prestigious art institutions. This marks the first time a Korean retail company has entered into a long-term sponsorship with the Met.
2025.07.08
Art+_News Hundreds of Art Professionals Denounce Censorship at Seoul Museum of Art
On June 19, the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) issued an official statement regarding the censorship incident surrounding the exhibition catalogue of the Art Archives of the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA AA). However, criticism from the Korean art community has only intensified in response.
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