Definition of Galleries
The term
"gallery" originates from the English word meaning a "lavishly
decorated salon," which itself derives from the Italian word
"galleria." In its current usage, a gallery refers to a space
dedicated to the exhibition and sale of artworks. These galleries trace their
origins to 16th-century Europe, where royalty and nobility displayed their
collected artworks. Initially, the terms "gallery" and
"cabinet" were used interchangeably; galleries were spaces where
artworks were hung in hallways or corridors for viewing, while cabinets were
spaces where rare items and small artworks were kept in storage-like settings.
Galleries
have evolved from mere exhibition spaces to significant mediators connecting
artists and the public. Artists use galleries to showcase their works, and
visitors can experience various artworks and gain artistic insights.
Additionally, galleries facilitate the sale of artworks, providing financial
support for artists and offering collectors opportunities to discover and
acquire new pieces.
History of Galleries
The
history of galleries dates back to early 16th-century Europe. At that time,
kings and nobles displayed their collections of art and treasures in palace
corridors and small rooms known as galleries. Over time, these galleries
evolved into commercial spaces for exhibiting and selling art.
In Korea,
the first gallery appeared in the 1910s during the Japanese occupation. The
modern concept of galleries began in the late 1950s with the opening of Bando
Gallery. In the 1970s, Hyundai Gallery opened, marking the emergence of
commercial galleries that sold artworks. The 1980s saw the activation of the
contemporary art market, leading to the establishment of numerous galleries.
The 1990s and early 2000s experienced a rapid increase in the number of
galleries across the country.
Categories of Galleries
Galleries can be classified into several categories based on their operational purpose and form:
- Commercial Galleries: These are the most common type of galleries, focusing on selling artworks for profit. They connect artists with collectors, primarily through exhibitions showcasing and selling artworks.
- Rental Galleries: : These galleries rent out their exhibition space for a set period, often hosting individual or small group exhibitions. Anyone can exhibit their work here by paying a rental fee.
- Private Galleries: Also known as private galleries, they sell artworks to a specific clientele. These galleries are not open to the general public and trade artworks through private networks.
- Non-profit Galleries: These galleries operate with a focus on artistic value and social contribution rather than commercial profit. They aim to support artists and promote art culture.
Roles of Galleries
Galleries play a crucial role in the contemporary art market. Their primary roles include:
- Discovering and Supporting Artists: Galleries identify emerging artists and showcase their works, introducing them to the art market. This allows artists to gain recognition and opportunities to sell their works.
- Facilitating Art Sales and Distribution: Galleries exhibit and sell artworks, promoting the circulation of art. This provides financial support to artists and enables collectors to acquire new pieces.
- Providing Art Education and Cultural Enjoyment: Through various exhibitions and events, galleries offer opportunities for the public to engage with and appreciate art. This enhances interest in art and broadens cultural awareness.
- Stabilizing the Art Market: Galleries play a significant role in setting the prices of artworks and evaluating their market value, thereby contributing to the stability and fair trading of the art market.
- Art Management and Marketing: As centers of art management, galleries effectively introduce artworks and artists through exhibition planning, marketing, and promotion. This fosters the activation of the art market and generates revenue for the gallery.
- Cultural Exchange and Internationalization: Galleries participate in international art fairs and biennales, fostering exchanges with artists from around the world and introducing Korean art abroad. This promotes global artistic collaboration and exchange.
Galleries contribute to the development and dissemination of contemporary art by exhibiting and selling artworks, discovering and supporting artists, providing art education and cultural enjoyment, stabilizing the art market, managing and marketing art, and facilitating cultural exchange and internationalization.
