The inaugural Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul together attracted more than 70,000 visitors from home and abroad. Frieze Seoul took place from Friday to Monday at Coex southern Seoul while Kiaf Seoul, also at Coex, ran through Tuesday, bringing together some 350 galleries from across the world. While the two fairs did not disclose the sales record, the transactions from the two fairs will reportedly raise the size of the country’s art market to over one trillion won this year. “We used

Arts & Design Sept. 7, 2022

When Korean contemporary artist Kim Whan-ki’s masterpiece “05-IV-71#200 (Universe)” fetched 13.2 billion won ($9.6 million) as a highlight of the Christie’s autumn auction season in 2019, it became the highest-ever price for a Korean artwork sold at an auction house. The record remains unbeaten. The record sale has attracted attention to the late artist from home and abroad. Kim is a pioneer of Korean abstract paintings that feature lines and dots with colors reminisce

Arts & Design Sept. 7, 2022

The Pinault Collection, French billionaire Francois Pinault’s collection of contemporary art, holds more than 10,000 works of art by the world’s established artists. The internationally influential art entity, founded in 1999, runs three museums in Europe. “When it comes to the ultimate goal of collecting art, for Francois Pinault, it is really to share. As an entrepreneur, he always goes further, and he is curious about the younger generation,” said Caroline Bourgeois,

Arts & Design Sept. 4, 2022

As 2 p.m. neared, people stood in a line wrapping down the hall on Friday at Coex in Seoul to enter the inaugural Frieze Seoul, with great anticipation for which works would be brought to the first art fair by Frieze in Asia and how its collaboration with the local art fair would turn out over the four-day event. The first edition of Frieze Seoul kicked off at the same time as Kiaf Seoul, a local art fair held since 2002, for its VIP opening. Their first collaboration has attracted some 350 ga

Arts & Design Sept. 2, 2022

Ahead of the inaugural Frieze Seoul, Hannam-dong in northern Seoul -- an art cluster for international galleries, popularly known as a “hip neighborhood” among young generation -- was full of energy on Thursday night with art lovers from home and abroad who flocked to the town to enjoy the eve of the art fair as part of “Hannam Night.” Galleries stayed late open welcoming guests to showcase exhibitions by artists they represent with music and cocktails; some of galleries

Arts & Design Sept. 2, 2022

Commemorating the inaugural Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul that kicks off on Friday, the capital is in a festive mood with a flood of art events such as exhibitions, artist talks and parties well into the night. Sept. 1 to 11 has been designated as the week of art, naming it “Dive into Korean Art,” coinciding with Frieze and Kiaf Seoul. Two art clusters in Seoul, Samcheong and Hannam neighborhoods in northern Seoul, are must-visits this weekend if you are a fan of art. Of course, there

Arts & Design Sept. 2, 2022

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

Arts & Design Sept. 1, 2022

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

Arts & Design Sept. 1, 2022

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

Arts & Design Aug. 29, 2022

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

Arts & Design Aug. 28, 2022

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

Arts & Design Aug. 26, 2022

  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

Arts & Design Aug. 24, 2022

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

Arts & Design Aug. 23, 2022

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

Arts & Design Aug. 22, 2022

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

Arts & Design Aug. 20, 2022