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 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 Global Luxury Brands Introduced Korean Artists at Frieze Seoul 2023
In honor of Frieze, Dior presented “Lady Dior Celebration” at its concept store in Seongsu-dong, Seoul, featuring 24 Korean artists (Bahk Seon Ghi, Choi Jeong Hwa, Gigisue, Gimhongsok, Ha Chong-Hyun, Heewon Kim, Jay Sae Jung Oh, Jia Lee, Jukhee Kwon, Jungjin Lee, Jungpyo Hong, Kwangho Lee,Kyungwoo Chun, Lee Bul, Lee Hun Chung, Lee Kun-Yong, Minjung Kim, Oh You Kyeong, Ran Hwang, Soo Sunny Park, Suki Seokyeong Kang, Wonmin Park, Yesum Yoon, and Zadie Xa). Notably, Swiss high-end watchmaker Breguet collaborated with independent Korean curator Sim Somi to present Orbital Time, a collaborative exhibition on time at Frieze New York in May. Frieze Seoul showcased the work of painter Heemin Chungg and media artist Sungseok Ahn through Streaming Time, a reflection of the interconnection of mediatized lives online.
2023.09.25
Art Fair_News The Getty Partners with Frieze on Art Projects Promoting PST ART
Frieze and the Getty have announced collaborations leading up to PST ART: “Art & Science Collide” in September 2024. PST ART, previously known as Pacific Standard Time, is a major arts program that occurs every six years across museums and art institutions in Southern California. The first collaboration, supported by Getty grants,
2023.09.11
Art Fair_News Making the Most of Art Fairs - Kiaf SEOUL & Frieze Seoul
Are you interested in art collecting? Are you curious about the current atmosphere of the art market and who the most sought-after artists are nowadays? If so, why not visit an art fair? Here is what you need to know to make the most of your experience at art fairs.
2023.09.04
Art Fair_News "ASYAAF", an Art Fair for Youth that precedes Frieze Seoul and Kiaf, on View Through August 20, 2023, at Hongik Museum of Art
ASYAAF, Korea’s largest youth art festival, will be held at Hongik Museum of Art. The festival is divided into two parts, with the first running from July 25 to August 6 and the second from August 8 to August 20. The festival is co-hosted by Chosun Ilbo and Hongik University, and visitors can view and purchase artworks during the festival. The upper price limit of the artwork is set at 3 million won, and online sales of artworks and NFT artworks are also being conducted so that the barrier to entry for purchasing artworks is lowered.
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.
The One & Only Place
