The Korea International Art Fair, the biggest in South Korea, will kick off Thursday, introducing works by leading contemporary artists, especially emerging artists from Southeast Asia.

The art fair brings together 186 galleries from 22 countries, which will present some 3,500 pieces of art by 900 artists. Some leading galleries participating in the art fair include Kukje Gallery and Arario Gallery, Pyo Gallery and Hakgojae in Korea and Bicha Gallery in London, VT Art Salon in Taipei and DIE Gallery in Germany. 

“We invited Southeast Asian galleries because there’s growing interest in the emerging art talents in Southeast Asia with the expansion of the Southeast Asian art market,” said Byun Hong-cheol, commissioner for the guest country exhibition at the KIAF. Of 186, 13 are from six Southeast Asian countries, including Singpore and Indonesia, participating in the fair upon invitation, he said.

“Southeast Asian artists are participating in major biennales around the world, which lead the global art scene. And the art market is growing with major countries in the region such as Singapore offering tax incentives and investing in the art galleries as part of a national initiative,” explained Byun.

On Sept. 25, Lorenzo Rudolf, founder and director of Art Stage Singapore and former director of Art Basel from 1991 to 2000, will give a lecture on the future of Asia art fairs. Art fair organizers in Japan, China, Taiwan and Macau will gather to hold a roundtable discussion on strategies to develop the Asian art market on the same day.

The special exhibition Art Flash will focus on media art, introducing cutting-edge media artwork. The KIAF will run from Sept. 25-29 at Coex Hall A and B. Admission is 15,000 won. The fair offers a two-day pass for 20,000 won and a five-day pass for 30,000 won. For more information, visit www.kiaf.org, or call (02) 766-3702.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)