Delivering essential Korean contemporary art news every week.
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Art+_News Current Status of Korean Contemporary Artworks Housed in 20 North American Art Museums
On December 31, a study revealed that approximately 1,120 pieces of Korean contemporary art are housed in 20 major North American art museums. However, these collections are largely limited to works by a small number of artists with experience working in the United States.
Museum_News Art Center Nabi Finds a New Home in Seochon
Art Center Nabi, Korea's first media art museum, led by Director Noh So-Young, has relocated to a traditional Korean house (hanok) in Seochon, a historic neighborhood west of Gyeongbokgung Palace, signaling a new chapter in its journey.
Museum_News MMCA Announces a New Partnership with LG Electronics
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) announces a new partnership with LG Electronics. This collaboration aims to advance the development of contemporary art and other arts and cultural initiatives across Korea. Under this agreement, LG Electronics will exclusively provide exhibition sponsorship and technical support for the ‘MMCA X LG OLED’ Series over the next three years.
2024.08.20
Museum_News Seoul Museum of Photography Pre-opening Program, “Photo SeMA Spotlight 1: A Place for Photography”, to Be Held on September 3
The Seoul Museum of Art will host an international seminar, “Photo SeMA Spotlight 1: A Place for Photography”, in advance of the opening of the Photography Seoul Museum of Art (Photo SeMA; 70, Madeul-ro 13-gil, Dobong-gu, Seoul, in the first half of 2025). The seminar, which will take place on September 3 at the Buk-Seoul Museum of Art, will commemorate the establishment of Photo SeMA, Korea’s first public photography museum, and also serve as a place to share the visions of international photography institutions in Europe and Asia, along with their programs for contemporary photographers.
Nonprofit_News Olafur Eliason’s Latest Work ‘Breathing earth sphere’ Has Been Unveiled on Docho Island in Shinan County
On the 15th, world-renowned Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson (b. 1967) unveiled his latest work, 숨결의 지구 (Breathing earth sphere), on Docho Island, Shinan County, Jeollanam-do, South Korea. The installation, part of a larger initiative by Shinan County that celebrates the region's natural beauty, centers around public art projects that draw attention to reimagining the immediate environment.
Nonprofit_News ‘FUTURA SEOUL,’ a New Large-scale Exhibition Space, Opens on September 5
On September 5, ‘FUTURA SEOUL,’ a new large-scale exhibition space (around 1,157m2), will open in Bukchon, Seoul. FUTURA SEOUL will present a new artistic experience based on the rich history of Bukchon, which was once the living space of the noble families in the Joseon dynasty.
Biennale_News 2024 Daejeon Art and Science Biennale Spin Off “Magnum Opus” on View Through February 2, 2025
Marking its fourth edition, the Daejeon Art and Science Biennale opened on October 25 under the title “Magnum Opus” As the only biennale in Korea dedicated to the theme of science and art, it will run until February 2 of next year at the Daejeon Museum of Art, Daejeon Creative Center, from the corner (Jeong-dong, Dong-gu), and GONGGAN55 (Seonhwa-dong, Jung-gu).
Biennale_News The 7th Changwon Sculpture Biennale’s Various Programs Are Unveiled
Starting on September 28, the symposium program “Seed and Peel” will be held at the Small Theater of Seongsan Art Hall. The symposium is scheduled for September 28 from 10 am to 4 pm and on September 29 from 1 pm to 4 pm, with simultaneous English translation available.
2024.09.24
Biennale_News The 7th Changwon Sculpture Biennale’s Pre-Exhibition Programs Successfully Concludes
Since last July, the pre-exhibition programs for the Changwon Sculpture Biennale have been underway. The first citizen-participation program, “AVP X Muhayu” (July 15-18), took place at Audio Visual Pavilion (AVP) in Seoul and Muhayu in Changwon, featuring Jeuno JE Kim & Ewa Einhorn, who are based in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Malmö, Sweden, and Sooncheon No, an artist based in Changwon.
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 Kukje Gallery Unveils Its 2025 Exhibition Plans
Kukje Gallery has announced its diverse exhibition plans for 2025, set to take place at its Seoul and Busan locations. Firstly, The gallery’s program will commence with solo exhibitions dedicated to two artists who hold significant positions in the Korean art scene, starting from March 20, 2025.
Gallery_News Gagosian to Mount First Exhibition in Korea at Amorepacific
A global contemporary gallery, Gagosian, will mount its first exhibition in South Korea, timed to this year’s edition of Frieze Seoul at Amorepacific headquarters.
2024.07.08
Gallery_News German Gallery ‘Meyer Riegger’ to Open New Space in Seoul This September
German gallery Meyer Riegger, whose international artists include Miriam Cahn, Horst Antes, Sheila Hicks, Caroline Bachmann, John Miller, and many more, will open its doors in Korea this September following the acquisition of Galerie Efremidis.
2024.06.24
Gallery_News Busan’s Representative Gallery ‘Johyun Gallery’ Opens Its Seoul Branch
Busan-based gallery ‘Johyun Gallery’ opened a new location in Seoul’s Shilla Hotel on May 23. The new location marks the gallery’s return to Seoul nine years after closing its Seoul exhibition space in 2015, which was located in the Nature Poem building in Cheongdam-dong, Seoul.
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 Highlights at Frieze Seoul 2024
Highlights of Frieze Seoul 2024, taking place September 4-7 at COEX, Gangnam, Seoul, have been revealed. The world's leading galleries participating in Frieze Seoul 2024 are highlighting a wide range of distinguished artists in the Solo, Group, Frieze Masters, and Focus Asia sections.
2024.09.03
Art Fair_News Kiaf SEOUL 2024 to Host Special Exhibition “Kiaf onSITE: Invisible Transitions”
The Galleries Association of Korea announced that it will present the special exhibition “Kiaf onSITE: Invisible Transitions” at Kiaf SEOUL 2024, which will be held for five days from September 4 to 8. “Kiaf onSITE” is a special exhibition showcasing the
2024.08.27
Art Fair_News How to Enjoy Frieze Seoul 2024 to the Fullest
Frieze Seoul 2024 will not only feature a fair showcasing globally acclaimed artworks but also present the most extensive and diverse Frieze Week to date, featuring a variety of programs including cultural events in collaboration with galleries and nonprofit organizations.
Art+_News Current Status of Korean Contemporary Artworks Housed in 20 North American Art Museums
On December 31, a study revealed that approximately 1,120 pieces of Korean contemporary art are housed in 20 major North American art museums. However, these collections are largely limited to works by a small number of artists with experience working in the United States.
2025.01.07
Art+_News The Editorial : 2025 A New Beginning for K-ARTNOW
2025 marks a bold new chapter for K-ARTNOW as we take a significant step forward in our mission to share Korean contemporary art with the world. Over the years, we’ve explored the vibrant and diverse stories of Korean art, connecting with readers both at home and abroad.
2025.01.01
Art+_News San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Abruptly Dismisses Korean Chief Curator Ju Eunji
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) has abruptly dismissed its Korean chief curator, Ju Eunji. On the 17th (local time), the museum announced that Ju had been removed from her duties due to "workplace misconduct" in accordance with internal regulations.
2024.12.24
Art+_News Most Influential Koreans in the Art World This Year: ArtReview ‘2024 Power 100’
On the 5th, the renowned British art magazine ArtReview unveiled its ‘2024 Power 100’ list. Since 2002, the annual ‘Power 100’ has involved experts from around the globe in an in-depth and comprehensive evaluation to select 100 individuals who have made significant contributions to the global art and cultural scene through their activities and influence.
