Barakat Contemporary leads Korean art scene by looking forward

The first-ever Frieze Seoul event taking place in Korea could be a signal the country is attracting major notice as an Asian art hub. Behind that attention are the many notable galleries trying to develop the country’s art and artists. In the contemporary art scene, Barakat Contemporary, a Seoul-based gallery, has been laying a foundation for positioning Korea’s most noteworthy contemporary art within worldwide trends since its foundation in 2016. Barakat Contemporary’s appro

Sept. 1, 2022

Frieze, Kiaf to bring together established galleries, high quality works in Seoul

Two international art fairs joined by some of the world’s most established galleries will open Friday in Seoul. With more than 350 galleries setting up booths at Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul, the events are expected to attract hundreds of art aficionados from around the world. VIP openings for both shows at Coex in southern Seoul will begin 2 p.m. Friday. Frieze Seoul will be open to the public from Saturday to Monday while Kiaf Seoul will open Saturday through Tuesday. Those who purchase j

Sept. 1, 2022

[Korean Artists of Note] Choi Chan-sook unearths landownership

The following is the fifth in a six-part series highlighting the next generation of Korean artists active in the international art scene. - Ed An automatic reclining massage chair moves back and forth with music playing in the background. Former US President Donald Trump appears on the side issuing a warning against North Korea: “They will be met with fire, fury and frankly power.” Sounds of old ladies' laughter drifts out from the video, seemingly tickled by his remarks. Korean-b

Sept. 1, 2022

Glamorize me: Makeover photo shoots catching on among camera-confident youngster

Photo studios are evolving into one-stop beauty shops allowing customers to experience a professional makeover and a photo shoot as if preparing for the cover of a fashion magazine. One such shop is Stylegrapher in Seoul’s posh Apgujeong-dong in Gangnam-gu. For a complete makeover from top to toe, it has two vanity tables for hair and makeup at one corner and a clothes section filled with chiffon dresses, tank tops and trendy trousers. Dozens of pairs of shoes are laid out too. &ldq

Aug. 31, 2022

Diaspora exhibition at PODO Museum attracts visitors with thought-provoking theme

A museum on Jeju Island is gaining attention with its thought-provoking exhibition. Since opening on July 5, more than 16,000 people have attended PODO Museum’s “Yet, With Love” exhibition, as of Monday. Under the theme “Diaspora and All Minorities of the World,” the exhibition focuses on people who are pursuing new lives away from their geographical and emotional hometowns for various reasons, proposing ways to embrace inclusion and coexistence. Paintings, sculptur

Aug. 30, 2022

[Korean Artists of Note] Kim Young-eun explores migration of sound

The following is the fourth in a six-part series highlighting the next generation of Korean artists active in the international art scene. - Ed The piano is a familiar instrument in Korea, but how did the Western musical instrument come to the country? What impact did the piano have on the music scene at the time? Korean-born artist Kim Young-eun touches on the questions in “Brilliant A.” The video follows the journey of the first-ever piano to arrive in the country, coming acro

Aug. 29, 2022

[Korean artists of Note] ‘A painting is a painting’: Hejum Ba refuses to define images

Following is the third in a six-part series highlighting the next generation of Korean artists active in the international art scene. – Ed Bold color field paintings come into sight upon entering Hejum Ba’s studio in Seoul. The vivid paintings evoke a feeling of mystery in viewers, who may stand in front of the artworks, trying to figure out the subjects of the painting or decipher the artist’s intentions. When it came to explaining the paintings, Ba was reserved. People t

Aug. 28, 2022

New York-based artist Lee Kyung-lim turns cardboards into art

Lee Kyung-lim has been exploring corrugated cardboard for more than 15 years. The harmony of acrylics, resin and corrugated cardboard create a unique texture of her works that embody scenes of nature and cities she has traveled to around the world. “Corrugated cardboard has winding symmetrical curves on the surface. They have straight lines as well. They are easy to cut, and they absorb water fast. Corrugated cardboards are an attractive material for me,” Lee said. The 54-year-o

Aug. 26, 2022

Forum explores meaning of space and its impact on cultural communication

Physical space is as important as ever in the post-pandemic era contrary to suggestions that virtual space would largely eliminate physical space, according to experts. A group of noted scholars and architects discussed the meaning of space and its impact on cultural communication in the pandemic era at the 2022 Culture Communication Forum on Thursday. The 13th edition of the forum, organized by the Corea Image Communication Institute, was held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan-gu, central

Aug. 25, 2022

[Herald Design Forum 2022] Tadao Ando highlights value of living in harmony with nature

In modern society where people try to pursue almost everything virtually, it is easy to forget that architecture can provide a space for emotional stability and inspiration, beyond its practical use. “No matter how advanced the technology gets, humans remain ‘irrational’ and ‘imperfect’ beings who live with emotions and memories,” said Tadao Ando, a Japanese architect who won the 1995 Pritzker Prize. “I believe architecture has unchanging values that a

Aug. 24, 2022

Sculpture show opens on Ttukseom Hangang Park

An outdoor park along the Han River has been turned into an exhibition stage for sculptures. The 2022 Hangang Sculpture Project, jointly organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and K-Sculpture, an organization promoting Korean sculptors and their works, kicked off Saturday at Ttukseom Hangang Park.   Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Youn Young-dal, chairman of Crown-Haitai and K-Sculpture, attended the opening ceremony. Some 1,100 sculptures are on display, harmonizing with the riverside

Aug. 24, 2022

[Korean Artists of Note] Lee Hee-joon ‘builds’ painting with layers of colors

  Following is the second in a six-part series highlighting the next generation of Korean artists active in the international art scene. – Ed At a glance, Lee Hee-joon‘s studio seems like that of an architect or carpenter, with paints and equipment likely to be used on construction sites scattered around the space. Since early this year, Lee has been working at Seoul Art Space Geumcheon in northern Seoul as part of a residency program. Lee’s recent series, “Image

Aug. 24, 2022

[Korean Artists of Note] Lee Kang-seung rewrites history through artistic practice

Following is the first in a six-part series highlighting the next generation of Korean artists active in the international art scene. – Ed In the graphite drawings of Hong Kong-born photographer Tseng Kwong Chi and Chinese ballet dancer Goh Choo San, artist Lee Kang-seung blurred Tseng, making his presence more vivid. The acclaimed photographer and choreographer were active in the West in the late 20th century. Yet, they were marginalized individuals who faced discrimination and prejud

Aug. 23, 2022

Upcoming Frieze Seoul to feature Asian galleries, Kiaf Seoul to show art at Incheon airport

The upcoming Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul will bring more than 350 galleries from around the world to Seoul, with art patrons, museum officials and collectors coming to see the art and explore the city’s vibrant pop culture scene. Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul will kick off in collaboration on Sept. 2 at Coex in southern Seoul. With the purchase of one ticket, visitors will be admitted to both Kiaf Seoul and Frieze Seoul. Early-bird tickets were sold out last week as soon as they went on s

Aug. 22, 2022

Herald Artday donates proceeds to support young overseas Koreans

Herald Artday, a subsidiary of Herald Corp., donated part of the proceeds from the 2022 Charity Auction to the Korean Youth Diaspora Project to support young overseas ethnic Koreans. The Korean Youth Diaspora Project was launched earlier this year by the Godowon Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to youth mentoring; the Blue Tree Foundation, a nongovernmental organization working against school violence; and The Korea Herald. The three organizations signed a memorandum in March to s

Aug. 21, 2022

[Herald Interview] Frieze Seoul uses collaboration to boost local art scene

Frieze Seoul, is set to take place next month, with art lovers eager to see how the event will affect the local art market and what role Seoul will play as a potential Asia art hub. The art fair will collaborate with the Galleries Association of Korea, which has run the international art fair Kiaf Seoul for 20 years. The two fairs will open on Sept. 2 at Coex in southern Seoul. “Frieze wanted to engage with the local art scene and develop a relationship with the Galleries Association o

Aug. 20, 2022

Chanel Korea, Frieze to collaborate to shed light on Korean contemporary artists

Chanel Korea and Frieze will team up to spotlight Korean emerging and established artists through the video series “Now & Next,” set to premiere in celebration of the inaugural Frieze Seoul on Sept. 2 at Coex in southern Seoul. The video series will be showcased during Frieze Week, which begins Aug. 29 ahead of the inaugural art fair in Seoul. Frieze, one of the world’s major art fairs, will land in Seoul -- the first Asian city to host the art fair -- in collaboratio

Aug. 19, 2022

Herald Design Forum 2022 to share insight on expanding space across fields

The Herald Design Forum 2022 will be held next month with the theme “Design Universe: Beyond the Space,” exploring how spaces have evolved over time and will expand in the future with the advent of virtual reality. The 12th edition of the design forum will be led by 13 renowned guests from the fields of architecture, mobility and non-fungible tokens, sharing their insight at the Hotel Shilla in Seoul on Sept. 27. The speakers will include Japanese architect Tadao Ando, Norwegian

Aug. 17, 2022

Fashion exhibition in Washington explores evolution of Korean fashion

A colorful exhibition exploring the history of Korean fashion will take place in Washington, DC, this week. “Korean Fashion: From Royal Court to Runway,” supported by the Korea Foundation, is scheduled to kick off this Saturday, at the George Washington University Museum and the Textile Museum, located in the US capital. The four-month exhibition will showcase 85 pieces of clothing, introducing Korean costume and fashion of the last 125 years, from the late Joseon era to present da

Aug. 17, 2022

[Herald Interview] ‘I draw what I see as pretty and cute’

Seoul-based illustrator and animator Seo In-ji has worked for the likes of Girls’ Generation, Red Velvet and NCT Dream. Her works also include the covers of Rina Sawayama’s singles and a Peggy Gou music video. Having studied animation at university, the 31-year-old dreamt of seeing her work featured on the cover of a book or a billboard. “If you ask me if this is a dream come true, I would say it is,” she said, laughing, during an interview with The Korea Herald. One

Aug. 16, 2022