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Artist_News Kwak Duck-Jun, Pioneering First-Generation Korean Experimental Artist, Passes Away at 88
On July 26, pioneering first-generation Korean experimental artist Kwak Duck-Jun passed away at the age of 88. Kwak Duck-Jun (1937-2025) holds a pivotal position in the history of artistic exchange between Korea and Japan. He has served as a key bridge between the two countries’ contemporary art scenes, particularly in the development of experimental art, while devising his distinctive artistic language.
2025.08.19
Museum_News National Museum of Korea Expands ‘Museum Academy’ to Public Art Museums
The National Museum of Korea will expand enrollment for the second-half term of its “Museum Academy” from participants at national museums to include over 450 public museums and art museums nationwide. In addition, it has introduced specialized courses to enhance the practical skills and expertise of curatorial staff, and revamped its online education platform to improve accessibility.
Artist_News Kwak Duck-Jun, Pioneering First-Generation Korean Experimental Artist, Passes Away at 88
On July 26, pioneering first-generation Korean experimental artist Kwak Duck-Jun passed away at the age of 88. Kwak Duck-Jun (1937-2025) holds a pivotal position in the history of artistic exchange between Korea and Japan. He has served as a key bridge between the two countries’ contemporary art scenes, particularly in the development of experimental art, while devising his distinctive artistic language.
2025.08.19
Artist_News Artist Kimsooja Promoted to 'Officer' Rank in French Cultural Order
Renowned Korean artist Kimsooja was awarded the Officier (Officer) of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government on July 9 at the French Ambassador’s residence in Seoul. This marks her second French cultural honor, following the Chevalier distinction she received in 2017.
2025.07.22
Artist_News 10 Artists to Watch This Year, Selected by Kiaf SEOUL
The Galleries Association of Korea officially announced the 10 semifinalist artists for ‘2025 Kiaf HIGHLIGHTS’ on July 3, ahead of the upcoming Kiaf SEOUL 2025 in September. This program signals a new chapter in the art scene by highlighting emerging talents.
Artist_News Atelier Park Eun Sun, the First Art Museum by a Korean Artist in Italy, Opens
On May 31, 2025, Korean sculptor Park Eun Sun opened a new art museum, Atelier Park Eun Sun, in Pietrasanta, Tuscany, Italy. Known as the “mecca of sculpture,” Pietrasanta now houses its first-ever art museum dedicated to a Korean artist.
Museum_News National Museum of Korea Expands ‘Museum Academy’ to Public Art Museums
The National Museum of Korea will expand enrollment for the second-half term of its “Museum Academy” from participants at national museums to include over 450 public museums and art museums nationwide. In addition, it has introduced specialized courses to enhance the practical skills and expertise of curatorial staff, and revamped its online education platform to improve accessibility.
2025.08.19
Museum_News MMCA Offers Free Admission for 10 Days in September
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) will offer free admission to its exhibitions for 10 days, from September 1 to 10, in celebration of the “2025 Korea Art Festival.” This free viewing initiative is designed to expand public access to art and enhance opportunities for cultural enjoyment.
2025.08.19
Museum_News MMCA Presents Convergence Art Program ‘Spectrum of Humanity’ in Canada
To commemorate the 2024–25 Korea–Canada Year of Cultural Exchanges, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) will host the Convergence Art Program ‘Spectrum of Humanity’ in Montreal, Canada, from August 18 to 23.
Museum_News MMCA Presents “Museum on the Road”
The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA, Director: Kim Sung-hee) is presenting a “Museum on the Road” through the newly established Digital Zone along the Yeouido–Noryangjin section of Olympic-daero in Seoul.
2025.07.22
Museum_News Busan MoCA’s Rebranding Project Wins at 'TDC Awards 2025'
The rebranding project of the Busan Museum of Contemporary Art (Busan MoCA) has won a Main Award in the Communication Design category at the 2025 TDC (Type Directors Club) Awards in New York, one of the world’s most prestigious design competitions.
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Nonprofit_News Korean Selected as the Official Guest Language for the 2026 Festival d’Avignon
Korean has been selected as the official guest language for next year’s Festival d’Avignon, the world’s largest performing arts festival held annually in Avignon, France. This marks the first time an Asian language has been chosen, and the only instance in which a single national language has received this distinction.
Biennale_News See Art Festival 2025 “Undercurrents: Waves Walking on the Water” Opens on September 27
The Busan Biennale Organizing Committee has announced that the Sea Art Festival 2025 will take place under the theme 《Undercurrents: Waves Walking on the Water》 at Dadaepo Beach and its surrounding areas from September 27 to November 2, spanning a total of 37 days.
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 Gallery Hyundai Selected Among “The 10 Best Booths at Art Basel 2025”
Gallery Hyundai’s booth (G13) at Art Basel 2025 has been selected by Artsy as one of “The 10 Best Booths at Art Basel 2025.” The featured presentation is a solo booth dedicated to Seung-taek Lee, a pioneering figure in Korean experimental art, and is the only solo presentation among the ten selected booths.
2025.07.01
Gallery_News ‘Frieze House Seoul,’ a New Exhibition Platform, to Open This September
The global art fair Frieze is set to open a new exhibition platform, Frieze House Seoul, this September in the Yaksu-dong in Seoul. Modeled after No.9 Cork Street, Frieze’s permanent exhibition space in London, this venue will host a year-round program of curated exhibitions, performances, and short-term residencies.
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.
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 A Giant Art Storage Facility to Be Built at Incheon Airport in 2026
A massive multimillion-dollar art storage facility, Arshexa Freeport, near Incheon International Airport in South Korea is set to break ground as early as next April, aiming to position the country as Asia’s art hub.
Art+_News The Arts Council Korea Plans a Comprehensive Overhaul of 2024 Open-Call Projects
South Korea provides a substantial amount of support programs for artists, more than many other countries. However, there has been widespread consensus in the field that the open-call support system, managed by public institutions, is overly complicated and difficult to navigate. Additionally, critics argue that there is an overemphasis on minor, one-time project grants, making it challenging for sustainable growth.
2023.08.14
Art+_News South Korea's Art Promotion Act Sparks Debate Over Artists' Resale Rights
In June, South Korea’s National Assembly passed the Art Promotion Act, sparking some controversy within the Korean art scene. This dispute stems from differing opinions among members of the art community regarding the specific implementation guidelines for the “droit de suite,” which refers to an artist’s resale royalty rights.
2023.08.14
Art+_News Hyundai FutureNet, Discovering and Supporting Emerging Media Artists...'Media Art Project'
Hyundai FutureNet, an ICT company affiliated with the Hyundai Department Store Group, signed a business agreement with the Korea Mecenat Association and Alternative Space ARTFORUM RHEE on the 27th of last month to revitalize the media art industry. Under the agreement, Hyundai FutureNet and the art organization Alternative Space ARTFORUM RHEE will carry out the ‘Hyundai FutureNet Media Art Project’ as part of the ‘Arts & Business’ collaboration project organized by the Korea Mecenat Association.
2023.03.24
Art+_News Kim Daljin Art Research and Consulting, 128 Exhibition Spaces Newly Opened in South Korea in 2022
Kim Daljin Art Research and Consulting (hereinafter the Institute) has been tracking the number of newly opened exhibition spaces in South Korea every year since 2005. These exhibition spaces include museums, galleries, cultural spaces with exhibition halls, memorial halls, and coffee shops or other corresponding places with gallery spaces.
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