Festering conflict between galleries, auction houses laid bare in giddy Korean art market

As the art market grows exponentially in South Korea, the tension between primary and secondary players has heightened with galleries uniting to launch an auction event in late January, claiming the country‘s major auction houses have violated a “gentlemen’s agreement” struck in 2007. The Galleries Association of Korea announced Monday that it will hold an auction on Jan. 26 at the Westin Josun Seoul with an aim to protect the art market, particularly young artists. S

Jan. 4, 2022

Galleria Gwanggyo wins UNESCO-administered architecture prize, Prix Versailles 2021

The newly-built upscale department store Galleria in Gwanggyo, Gyeonggi Province, was recognized by UNESCO’s annual Prix Versailles Awards, winning the top Prix Versailles 2021 prize in the shopping mall category. The sixth branch of Galleria -- South Korea’s first and major upscale department store franchise founded in the 1970s -- opened in March 2020 in Gwanggyo, a new town just 25 kilometers south of Seoul. The building was designed by OMA, an architectural firm headquartered

Jan. 2, 2022

[Weekender] What to expect in the Korean art scene next year

South Korea’s art scene has enjoyed an unprecedented booming year in 2021 with art fairs and auction houses seeing record-breaking sales. This trend was backed by emerging younger collectors who are increasingly embracing the arts as part of their culture. The late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee’s art collection donated to the country also triggered an interest in art, with people lining up to see the artworks given to two national museums. On top of that, internationally renowned ga

Jan. 1, 2022

Minhwa of Korean tiger from late Joseon era brings courage, hope

A Korean tiger sits behind bamboo trees, glaring as if it is waiting for the perfect timing to make its move. The tiger, however, looks somehow friendly and mischievous, reflecting the painter’s sense of wit.  The painting was created in the late Joseon era (1392-1910) by Lee San, known by the pen name “Myeong Dang.” It was unveiled by Lee Young-soo, an emeritus professor from Dankook University and a collector of Korean folk painting.  “Painting of Intrepidit

Dec. 30, 2021

‘CAMP After Media Promises’ at Nam June Paik Art Center challenges conventional media art

The Nam June Paik Art Center is showcasing the exhibition “CAMP After Media Promises” by CAMP, a Mumbai-based collaborative studio, who explores various media technologies through research, infrastructural interventions and documentation. Led by Shaina Anand, Ashok Sukumaran and Sanjey Bhangar, CAMP was formed in 2007 as an artist collective but later transformed into a studio where ideas and energies gather and become interest and forms, aiming to redefine the categories of observ

Dec. 29, 2021

Ancient art of lacquer on show at Asian lacquerware exhibition

The National Museum of Korea launched the special exhibition “Ottchil, the Coated Splendor of Asian Lacquerware” on Tuesday, showcasing some 260 pieces of lacquerware produced in different parts of Asia. Lacquer, called “ottchil” in Korean, is a natural paint that has been used in Asia since ancient times. The water-repellent and insect-repellent aspects of lacquer increases the longevity of the objects, while adding a beautiful luster to them. Lacquer crafts are time

Dec. 21, 2021

Leeum Museum of Art collaborates with Naver TV, offers special opening on Dec. 27

Leeum Museum of Art will stream its two permanent exhibitions on Naver TV introducing its key collection as well as offer a chance for viewers to visit the exhibitions in person for a special opening of the museum on Dec. 27. One of the country’s top private museums, Leeum Museum of Art has seen an upswing in popularity since reopening on Oct. 8, with reservation time slots allowing 600 people to visit on a daily basis. The museum is currently showcasing two permanent collection shows o

Dec. 19, 2021

Jeju Island’s less discovered sides captured by photographer Cho Eui-hwan

Photographer Cho Eui-hwan has made it his mission to shed light on a lesser-known side of Jeju Island -- their fields. Some 70 photographs of fields across the island that he has captured since 2014 are on display at the Kim Bo Sung Art Center in Pyeongchang-dong, Seoul. Cho’s attraction to the variety of fields on Jeju Island began in 2014 and turned into a three-year stay. Very few know that the popular tourist destination also has many fields, which play an integral role in supporti

Dec. 16, 2021

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei unveils vast range of works in Seoul for first time

A large snake created with life vests is hung from the ceiling of an exhibition hall at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, as if crawling toward the audience. The 140 life vests were once worn by refugees who crossed the ocean from Africa and the Middle East and managed to reach the Greek island of Lesbos, in 2016. Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei connected the life vests of adults and children collected on the island to create “Life Vest Snake,” which i

Dec. 14, 2021

Photographers reinterpret images of their cultural heritage

The legacy of renowned modern sculptor Kwon Jin-kyu (1922-1973) lives on today, serving as a source of inspiration for many young artists. The sculptural masterpieces were recently brought to life by fashion photographer Mok Jung-wook, who creates his own narratives through photographs. 　The exhibition “Images of Eternity: Kwon Jin Kyu × Mok Jungwook” running through Dec. 28 at PKM Gallery in Seoul presents 8 self-portraits and religious sculptures by Kwon along with a

Dec. 13, 2021

Alex Katz’s most recent flower paintings unveiled at Thaddaeus Ropac Seoul

Thaddaeus Ropac Seoul kicked off its second exhibition since its opening in October, unveiling recent floral paintings from American figurative artist Alex Katz who returned to the subject at the beginning of the pandemic last year. Focusing on the artist’s flower paintings, the works painted over the past two years show how the pandemic has influenced his artistic world. Among the flower paintings are “Wild Spring Flowers2,” “Peony” and “Rhododendron on O

Dec. 13, 2021

Here are Christmas gift ideas for this year - Korean craftworks

Christmas never fails to come. While some here have small family or friend gatherings, others would prefer to fly home overseas and meet loved ones. Expressing gratitude and handing over a small present to your loved ones will be even more encouraging than ever, after years of fighting the pandemic. This year’s booming art market has spilled over to creating a variety of art items at museums or galleries, particularly for younger people whose interest in art has grown in recent years i

Dec. 11, 2021

Omicron variant keeps international artists from visiting Seoul

The emergence of the omicron coronavirus variant dampened the buoyant mood in the art scene as new travel restrictions complicated international travel, forcing artists and other prominent figures in the art world to cancel trips to South Korea. Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, who was expected to visit Seoul ahead of his first large-scale solo exhibition in Korea -- “Ai Weiwei Defend the Future,” scheduled to open Dec. 11 at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea --

Dec. 8, 2021

MMCA, Incheon International Airport Corp. present artworks at airport

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea and Incheon International Airport Corp. jointly opened the exhibition “Warming-up” at the country’s main gateway, allowing travelers to appreciate works of art during their layover at the airport. The art is part of the collection of the Government Art Bank, which is run by the museum. Some eight works by Korean contemporary artists are shown on the fourth floor of Incheon Airport Terminal 1, where a variety of amenit

Dec. 6, 2021

Gallery Hyundai presents Korea's experimental art at Art Basel Miami

After 15 years of trying, Gallery Hyundai has finally made it to the prestigious Art Basel, where it is presenting works by Korea’s prominent experimental artists who emerged in the late 1960s, including Lee Seung-taek, Quac In-sik, Park Hyun-ki and Lee Kun-yong. Art Basel Miami Beach kicked off Monday (US time) with 253 of the world’s leading galleries from 36 countries showcasing works by some 4,000 artists. The art fair, which is being held in person, used to draw nearly a

Dec. 2, 2021

Photographer Ahn Hong-beom’s solo exhibition to take us to snowy winter

Seoi Gallery, a commercial gallery in Seoul dedicated to photography exhibitions, will showcase photographer Ahn Hong-beom’s solo exhibition starting Tuesday, featuring snowy sceneries across the country from Jeju Island and Gangwon Province to the North and South Jeolla provinces and Gyeonggi Province. The upcoming exhibition “One Moment in Past” will present some 25 monochrome photography works by Ahn. He portrays moments of snow fluttering down from a tree, snow gently fa

Dec. 1, 2021

Some 140 sculptors on show International Sculpture Festa 2021

The International Sculpture Festa 2021 is back after a hiatus last yearm wuth a special focus on Chinese artists. The event, which opened Tuesday at the Hangaram Arts Center in Seoul, brings together 140 sculptors. The annual sculpture exhibition was launched in 2011 to introduce sculptors from home and abroad and showcase sculptures created with different materials. The 10th edition of the show presents the main exhibition “Sculpture the World” and the special exhibition &ldquo

Dec. 1, 2021

Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism to go global next year, commemorate 20th anniversary of Templestay

The Cultural Corps of Korean Buddhism will expand its international projects next year in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Templestay program, which next year is expected to have welcomed an accumulated 6 million guests since launching in 2002. “Next year will be a year to look back on what we have done over the past 20 years with the Templestay programs, which have received a lot of love and attention at home and abroad. We are in the process of undertaking international pr

Nov. 30, 2021

Seoul Museum of Craft Art is now fully open

After successfully showcasing eight craft art exhibitions, the Seoul Museum of Craft Art held its official opening ceremony Monday, unveiling special places located inside the museum, including a craft shop that offers a variety of craft works produced by artisans whose works are part of the museum’s collection. Located in Jongno, central Seoul, the country’s first national museum dedicated to Korean craft art opened to the public on July 16 with eight craft exhibitions, quickly be

Nov. 30, 2021

Old and new: Restored Paik Nam-june masterpiece at MMCA to have mix of LED and CRT monitors

The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea, first raised the idea of restoring video art pioneer Paik Nam-June’s largest installation work, “The More the Better,” after it was shut down in 2018 due to technical problems. The museum is conducting a three-year restoration project for the masterpiece, which began last year. “We are replacing 268 CRT monitors, which are 6 or 10 inches, installed at the upper part of the video tower, with LED monitors. We will

Nov. 29, 2021