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 ARKO Art Center Launches ‘2025 ARKO DAY’ Amid Busy September Art Fair Season
The Arts Council Korea (ARKO, Chairperson Byoung-gug Choung) and the ARKO Art Center will hold the public program “2025 ARKO DAY” from August 26 to September 7 at the ARKO Art Center and ARKO Arts Theater, introducing young artists and curators.
2025.08.26
Museum_News National Museum of Korea Expands ‘Museum Academy’ to Public Art Museums
The National Museum of Korea will expand enrollment for the second-half term of its “Museum Academy” from participants at national museums to include over 450 public museums and art museums nationwide. In addition, it has introduced specialized courses to enhance the practical skills and expertise of curatorial staff, and revamped its online education platform to improve accessibility.
2025.08.19
Museum_News MMCA Offers Free Admission for 10 Days in September
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) will offer free admission to its exhibitions for 10 days, from September 1 to 10, in celebration of the “2025 Korea Art Festival.” This free viewing initiative is designed to expand public access to art and enhance opportunities for cultural enjoyment.
2025.08.19
Museum_News MMCA Presents Convergence Art Program ‘Spectrum of Humanity’ in Canada
To commemorate the 2024–25 Korea–Canada Year of Cultural Exchanges, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) will host the Convergence Art Program ‘Spectrum of Humanity’ in Montreal, Canada, from August 18 to 23.
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 Gagosian to Mount First Exhibition in Korea at Amorepacific
A global contemporary gallery, Gagosian, will mount its first exhibition in South Korea, timed to this year’s edition of Frieze Seoul at Amorepacific headquarters.
2024.07.08
Gallery_News German Gallery ‘Meyer Riegger’ to Open New Space in Seoul This September
German gallery Meyer Riegger, whose international artists include Miriam Cahn, Horst Antes, Sheila Hicks, Caroline Bachmann, John Miller, and many more, will open its doors in Korea this September following the acquisition of Galerie Efremidis.
2024.06.24
Gallery_News Busan’s Representative Gallery ‘Johyun Gallery’ Opens Its Seoul Branch
Busan-based gallery ‘Johyun Gallery’ opened a new location in Seoul’s Shilla Hotel on May 23. The new location marks the gallery’s return to Seoul nine years after closing its Seoul exhibition space in 2015, which was located in the Nature Poem building in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul.
2024.05.27
Gallery_News ARTnews Interview: Tina Kim Discusses the Korean Art Market
As the Korean art market garners increasing attention within the global art world, ARTnews, a leading international art media outlet, conducted an interview with Tina Kim, owner of the Tina Kim Gallery in New York and a member of the Frieze Committee. Tina Kim, the daughter of Hyun-Sook Lee, founder of the Kukje Gallery, shared insights into the growing interest in Seoul, which is starting to gain recognition on the international art scene, as well as 20th-century Korean artists.
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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