Delivering essential Korean contemporary art news every week.
Latest News
Art Fair_News Korean Galleries Make Strong Statement at Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 Amid Market Slowdown
Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 officially opened on March 26 with a VIP preview at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, drawing attention as Asia’s largest art fair resumes at full scale. Despite a global art market slowdown, Korean galleries are showing remarkable presence and vitality at this year’s event.
2025.03.25
Art Theory_News A New Book, "Korean Society and Women Photographers" Explores Korean Society Through the Perspectives of 16 Female Photographers
A new book titled “Korean Society and Women Photographers” has been published, which links the work of 16 contemporary Korean female photographers with key social issues in Korea.
Written by Lee Phil, a professor at Hongik University, “Korean Society and Women hotographers” introduces the work of female photographers such as Park Youngsook, Oksun Kim, Jungjin Lee, Nikki S. Lee, JeongMee Yoon, Eunju Kim, Sunmin Lee, Anna Lim, Sookang Kim, Nanda, Chang Jia, Shin Eunkyung, Jun Ahn, Ko Hyun Joo, Seong Yeun Koo, and Jinyoung Yoon. These photographers have documented and recorded Korean society through the realistic visual language of photography.
Artist_News Artist Moka Lee Is Represented by Carlos/Ishikawa in the UK
On March 1, London-based gallery Carlos/Ishikawa announced that it now represents artist Moka Lee (b. 1996). Moka Lee’s work spans portraiture, still life, and landscapes, inspired by photos found on social media.
2025.03.11
Artist_News MMCA Announced Four Finalists for “Korea Artist Prize 2025”
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA), has selected Kim YoungEun, Kim Jipyeong, Unmake Lab, and Im Youngzoo as the four sponsored artists/artist groups for the Korea Artist Prize 2025, an exhibition and award program co-organized by the MMCA and the SBS Foundation.
2025.03.04
Artist_News Artist Ayoung Kim Selected as the First Korean Recipient of the 'LG Guggenheim Award'
Ayoung Kim, widely recognized for her innovative media art practice that traverses reality and the virtual, has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 LG Guggenheim Award. Since its launch in 2023, the LG Guggenheim Award has been an internationally recognized prize dedicated to supporting artists who expand the horizons of contemporary art through innovative use of technology.
2025.03.04
Artist_News Artist Yang Jung-uk Named Winner of ‘Korea Artist Prize 2024’
Artist Yang Jung-uk has been selected as the recipient of the 《Korea Artist Prize 2024》, co-presented by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Korea (MMCA) and the SBS Foundation.
2025.02.25
Artist_News Artist TZUSOO Selected as Inaugural Artist for ‘MMCA X LG OLED Series’
The young Korean artist TZUSOO (b. 1992) has been selected as the first artist for the 《MMCA X LG OLED Series》, a new initiative launched this year through a long-term partnership between the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) and LG Electronics.
Museum_News MMCA Launches Eco-Friendly Living Products Made from Exhibition Waste
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) has launched three types of eco-friendly everyday living products made from discarded exhibition waste, reflecting ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) values.
2025.03.11
Museum_News The World’s First ‘Floating Museum’ in Shinan County to Open This May
The world's first floating museum is set to open this May in Anjwa Island, Shinan County, Jeollanam-do. The "Floating Museum" is located near the birthplace of Kim Whanki, a pioneer of Korean abstract art, on a reservoir in the town of Eopdong, Anjwa-myeon.
Museum_News Sorol Art Museum to Reopen Under a New Name in April
The Sorol Art Museum in Gangneung, Gangwon Province, which opened in February last year, will be renamed "Gangneung Art Museum Sorol" (tentative name) in April and newly operated as a municipal art museum.
2025.02.04
Museum_News Seoul Museum of Art to Complete Eight-Branch System by 2025
This year, the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) will open two new branches—the Photography Seoul Museum of Art (Photo SeMA) and SeMA Seo-Seoul Museum of Art—completing its "network-style museum" system.
Nonprofit_News Corporate Cultural Foundations Triple Their Contribution to Arts and Culture Over the Past Decade
On the 11th, the Arts Council Korea (ARKO) released a report on the state of arts and culture sponsorship by corporate cultural foundations—nonprofit organizations established by domestic companies to support arts and culture. The report revealed that corporate contributions have tripled over the past decade.
Nonprofit_News ACC Celebrates 10th Anniversary with Major Exhibitions and Programs of 2025
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s National Asian Culture Center (ACC), celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, has unveiled its major exhibitions and programs for 2025. In May, the 《ACC Future Sports Day》 will take place at ACC Creation Space 1, merging media art, physical activity, and play.
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.
Biennale_News 2025 Sea Art Festival to Be Held Under Joint Artistic Directorship for the First Time
On February 26, the Busan Biennale Organizing Committee announced the artistic directors who will lead the 2025 Sea Art Festival. For the first time in the festival’s history, three co-artistic directors have been appointed: Keumhwa Kim, Bernard Vienat, and Sara Kim.
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.
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 ARARIO GALLERY SHANGHAI Has Relocated to SUHE HAUS in Jing’an District
ARARIO GALLERY SHANGHAI has relocated to SUHE HAUS, a cultural space along the Suzhou Creek in Jing’an District. ARARIO GALLERY opened its first Chinese branch in 2005 in the Jiu Chang Art District, Beijing. The Beijing space, which operated successfully for over seven years, closed its doors in 2012.
2025.03.25
Gallery_News Duarte Sequeira Seoul Relocates to Hannam-dong
The Portuguese gallery Duarte Sequeira announced via its Instagram account that it will be expanding and relocating its Seoul branch to Hannam-dong (61-17 Hannam-daero 20-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul) this year.
2025.03.18
Gallery_News PKM Gallery Announces Its Exhibition Lineup for 2025
PKM Gallery announced its exhibition lineup for 2025, featuring five solo exhibitions focusing on the diverse trajectories of contemporary art. This year’s lineup highlights the unique creative visions of emerging and established artists across a variety of mediums, including illustration, craft, painting, and sculpture. These exhibitions will offer an opportunity to engage with evolving trends and possibilities within contemporary Korean art.
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 Korean Galleries Make Strong Statement at Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 Amid Market Slowdown
Art Basel Hong Kong 2025 officially opened on March 26 with a VIP preview at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, drawing attention as Asia’s largest art fair resumes at full scale. Despite a global art market slowdown, Korean galleries are showing remarkable presence and vitality at this year’s event.
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 Emma Son, Senior Director of Lehmann Maupin Seoul, Promoted to Global Partner
On the 6th, Emma Son, Senior Director of Lehmann Maupin Seoul, was promoted to Global Partner at Lehmann Maupin. The role of a partner involves making all key decisions for the gallery in collaboration with senior directors through strategic meetings.
Art+_News Asian Art Museum of San Francisco Appoints Dr. Soyoung Lee as Director and CEO
On the 14th, the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco announced that Korean curator Soyoung Lee has been appointed as the next Director and CEO of the museum. This marks the first time a Korean curator has been named to lead a major museum in the United States.
2025.01.28
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.
