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Biennale_News Korea's First Island Biennale to Open in Boryeong, Chungnam, Next April
The Island Biennale, Korea's first biennale dedicated to islands, will open on April 3, 2027, and run for approximately two months across Wonsando and Godaedo in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, bringing together a diverse selection of artworks by more than 70 artists from 24 countries.
Museum_News The Inaugural Nam June Paik Media Art Festival, "Waiting for U.F.O.," Opens July 16
The Nam June Paik Art Center will open the Nam June Paik Media Art Festival on July 16, a festival that activates Nam June Paik's artistic vision in the present tense. The Nam June Paik Media Art Festival, conceived in the spirit of Nam June Paik as a festival, feast, and gut (Korean shamanic ritual), connects art and technology, humanity and nature, the local and the global, while exploring the possibilities of future culture.
Artist_News Kim Kulim Demolishes the PlaceMAK Building in a Radical Performance
On June 24, pioneering Korean experimental artist Kim Kulim staged a radical performance by demolishing the PlaceMAK 2 building in Seoul's Yeonhui-dong and installing a monumental spherical inflatable sculpture atop its ruins. The 90-year-old artist arrived at PlaceMAK 2—the venue of his latest solo exhibition—accompanied by an excavator and a team of demolition workers. Despite his limited mobility, the artist directed the demolition performance with hand gestures, signaling the workers to tear down the building's roof and walls and clear away the rubble..
2026.07.07
Artist_News Artist Bae Young-whan, Who Comforted the Lives of Ordinary People, Passes Away at 57
On June 19, Bae Young-whan, a prominent figure in Korean contemporary art, passed away at the age of 57. A central figure in the generation that gained international recognition in the early 2000s, Bae—alongside close friends and colleagues like Lee Bul and Haegue Yang—was renowned for conceptually incisive work that bridged Korea’s complex artistic legacy with global discourses on modernity and society.
2026.06.30
Artist_News Hong Soonmo & Moon Isaac Named Winners of the 40th Kim Se-Choong Sculpture Award
On June 16, the Kim Se-Choong Memorial Foundation announced that sculptor Hong Soonmo (b. 1949) has been selected as the recipient of the 40th Kim Se-Choong Sculpture Award, while sculptor Moon Isaac (b. 1986) has been named the recipient of the 37th Kim Se-Choong Sculpture Award for Young Artists.
2026.06.23
Artist_News Yagwang Wins the Frieze Seoul Artist Award 2026
Seoul-based artist collective Yagwang has been named as the winner of the 2026 Frieze Seoul Artist Award. Supported by Bvlgari for the fourth consecutive year, the award spotlights and supports Korea’s talents at a pivotal stage in their careers. The winner is invited to realize an ambitious new commission on-site at Frieze Seoul, which takes place this year at COEX, 2 – 5 September 2026
2026.06.16
Artist_News Artist Yo-E Ryou Wins the ‘2026 ILWOO Art Award’
The Ilwoo Foundation, a public interest foundation under the Hanjin Group, announced that artist Yo-E Ryou has been selected as the recipient of the 2026 ILWOO Art Award. Hanjin Group established the ILWOO Photo Award in 2009 and, through thirteen editions of the competition held until 2022, supported 36 photographers. Beginning in 2024, the award was reorganized and relaunched under the new title of the ILWOO Art Award.
Museum_News Busan Museum of Art Will Launch KRW 43 Billion Renovation Project
The Busan Museum of Art, inaugurated in 1998, is poised to undergo a significant renovation and interior expansion project lasting two years from April next year, coinciding with its 25th anniversary, to evolve into a futuristic art museum.
2023.12.18
Museum_News Leeum, Korea's Largest Private Art Museum, Announces Its 2024 Exhibition Lineup
Art museums are preparing for the upcoming new year and announcing their exhibition plans for next year. The Leeum Museum of Art, celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, has revealed its exhibitions scheduled for 2024. Leeum plans to showcase solo exhibitions of internationally renowned artists and a group exhibition discovering young Asian artists.
2023.12.18
Museum_News Seoul’s Mega-size Art Museum Seoripul Open Art Storage Aims to Open in 2028
Seoul will construct a large-scale art museum in Seoripul Park near the Supreme Court in Seocho-dong. The “Seoripul Open Art Storage,” set to open in 2028, is modeled after the Depot of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, Netherlands, which has both exhibition spaces and storage facilities.
2024.12.11
Museum_News The Recipient of the 2023 SeMA-HANA Media Art Award Is Francois Knoetze
The Seoul Museum of Art has selected Francois Knoetze as the 2023 SeMA-Hana Media Art Award winner from among 40 artists/teams in the 12th Seoul Media City Biennale THIS TOO, IS A MAP, which was held at the SeMA Seosomun Main Branch until November 19, 2023.
Museum_News MMCA Names Kim Sung-hee as New Director
On September 14, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism announced the appointment of Kim Sung-hee as the next director of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA). Kim will receive her official appointment on September 15 and begin her new duties on September 18.
Nonprofit_News Kim Tschang-yeul’s Former Residence to Open as a Public Art Space on May 29
The former residence and studio in Pyeongchang-dong where Kim Tschang-yeul lived and worked for more than thirty years will open to the public on May 29 as a new public art space titled ‘Kim Tschang-yeul Atelier.’ The first floor will house a special exhibition gallery, the basement level will serve as an archive room, and the second basement floor will recreate the artist’s studio and library.
2026.05.26
Nonprofit_News DOOSAN Yonkang Foundation Announces First Sponsorship of the Korean Pavilion at the Venice Biennale
The DOOSAN Yonkang Foundation (Chairman Park Yong-hyun) is participating as a sponsor of the Korean Pavilion at the 61st Venice Biennale, held at the Giardini in Venice, Italy, from May 9 to November 22 local time. This year, the Korean Pavilion takes “Liberated Space” as its theme, examining the political events and historical transitional periods of Korean society from liberation in 1945 to the present day. The exhibition is directed by Artistic Director Binna Choi, with Hyeree Ro and Goen Choi participating as exhibiting artists. In addition, novelist Han Kang, farmer and activist Huju Kim, artist and musician Lang Lee, photographer Yezoi Hwang, and artist Christian Nyampeta are participating as fellows.
2026.05.19
Nonprofit_News International Media Art Festival “EMAP 2026” Opens on May 11
Ewha Womans University will host the international media art festival “EMAP (Ewha Media Art Presentation) 2026” across its campus from May 11 to 16, commemorating the university’s 140th anniversary. The program will include a range of events such as exhibitions, performances, and outdoor screenings.
2026.05.05
Nonprofit_News Korean Performances Officially Invited to the 2026 Festival d’Avignon After 28 Years
As Korean has been selected as the guest language of the 80th Festival d’Avignon, the festival’s board announced on the 8th that a total of nine works by seven Korean performing arts groups have been selected for the official program (IN). This marks the first time in approximately 28 years that Korean works have been officially invited, since “Désir d’Asie” in 1998.
2026.04.21
Nonprofit_News International Symposium to Mark the 20th Anniversary of Nam June Paik’s Passing
International Symposium to Mark the 20th Anniversary of Nam June Paik’s Passing
The Arts Council Korea (ARKO), in collaboration with the Nam June Paik Art Center, will co-host the international academic symposium 《Paik After Paik》 on April 23 at the main theater of the ARKO Arts Theater in Seoul.
Biennale_News Korea's First Island Biennale to Open in Boryeong, Chungnam, Next April
The Island Biennale, Korea's first biennale dedicated to islands, will open on April 3, 2027, and run for approximately two months across Wonsando and Godaedo in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province, bringing together a diverse selection of artworks by more than 70 artists from 24 countries.
2026.07.14
Biennale_News Final List of Participating Artists Announced for the 5th Jeju Biennale
The Jeju Museum of Art is set to open a spectacular new chapter in an artistic festival where leading figures of contemporary art from around the world intersect with the nature and history of Jeju. The museum has announced the final list of participating artists for the 2026 5th Jeju Biennale, which will open on August 25. This edition of the Biennale will bring together 69 artists and artist groups from 21 countries, presenting a diverse panorama of contemporary artistic practices from across the globe.
2026.06.30
Biennale_News 16th Gwangju Biennale Announces 43 Participating Artists, Highlighting Diverse Generational and Regional Voices
The Gwangju Biennale Foundation today announced the 43 participating artists and groups selected for the 16th Gwangju Biennale. The roster, selected by Artistic Director Ho Tzu Nyen together with curators Park Gahee, Brian Kuan Wood, and Che Kyongfa, brings together voices from diverse generations and regions. Through their sustained artistic practices, the participating artists explore how new possibilities and ways of living emerge and take shape.
2026.06.16
Biennale_News Gwangju Biennale Shifts to Open Call for Artistic Director for the First Time in Its 30-Year History
The Gwangju Biennale Foundation has announced an open call for the Artistic Director of the 17th Gwangju Biennale. Until now, the Artistic Director of the Gwangju Biennale has been selected through a recommendation-based system, in which a final candidate was chosen from a pool of nominees put forward by a small group of advisors. As a result, the position has often been filled by internationally renowned figures invited through this process.
2026.06.09
Biennale_News Lee Janghwan Appointed Artistic Director of the Korean Pavilion at the 2027 Venice Architecture Biennale
The Arts Council Korea (ARKO) has appointed Lee Janghwan, founder of Urban Operations, as the Artistic Director of the Korean Pavilion for the 20th International Architecture Exhibition of the 2027 Venice Biennale. Lee Janghwan’s practice engages broadly with the fields of urbanism, culture, and architecture. He previously worked as an architect at OMA, where he participated in the design of the Qatar National Library and contributed to numerous projects across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
2026.06.09
Biennale_News Resonating Together Through Dissonance: 2026 Busan Biennale Reveals Exhibition Structure
The Busan Biennale Organizing Committee held a press briefing on May 27 to unveil the major curatorial framework for the 2026 Busan Biennale, including 44 participating artists and collectives (47 individuals in total) from 23 countries, as well as the exhibition venues. Led by co-artistic directors Evelyn Simons and Amal Khalaf, the biennale will take place from August 29 to November 1 under the title 《Dissident Chorus》. The 65-day exhibition will unfold across Busan Museum of Contemporary Art, Space Wonji, and the former Busan Nam High School.
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 Hannam Saturdays: A New Initiative Connecting Hannam-dong’s Art Landscape
On June 13, Hannam-dong in Seoul’s Yongsan District was transformed into a vibrant site of artistic exchange. The inaugural edition of ‘Hannam Saturdays,’ a new collaborative program organized by twelve galleries located throughout the neighborhood, made its debut.
2026.06.16
Gallery_News Gladstone Seoul Will Move to a Larger Venue in Seoul’s Hannam-dong in the Summer of 2026
Gladstone has announced the expansion and relocation of its Seoul gallery to a new space in Hannam-dong, one of the city’s leading arts and cultural districts, later this summer. This move is particularly notable as it establishes a new foothold in Hannam-dong, an area densely populated with major institutions such as the Leeum Museum of Art, as well as prominent local and international galleries. With a growing number of global galleries—including Esther Schipper—relocating to the neighborhood, Hannam-dong is rapidly emerging as a key hub in Seoul’s art market. Through this expansion, Gladstone aims to further strengthen its presence in Asia.
Gallery_News Korea’s First Sculpture-Dedicated Gallery ‘Space Tone’ Opens in Hapjeong, Seoul
Korea’s first sculpture- dedicated gallery, Space Tone (S.tone), has opened in Hapjeong-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. While most sculpture-dedicated venues in Korea are located on the outskirts of Seoul due to the scale and weight of the works, Space Tone stands out as a space situated in the heart of the city—offering visitors the opportunity to encounter sculpture naturally in their everyday lives.
2025.11.18
Gallery_News Five Young Galleries to Watch in Seoul, Picked by ARTnews
On September 1, ARTnews, the American art magazine, spotlighted five emerging Seoul galleries to watch. Unlike the city’s more traditional galleries, these new spaces stand out for their distinctive sense of place and independent programs. The ARTnews highlighted PS CENTER, WWNN, Shower, Sangheeut, and Xlarge.
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 to Watch at ‘Kiaf SEOUL 2025’
From September 3 to 7, Kiaf SEOUL 2025, the largest art fair in Korea, will take place at COEX in Seoul. This year’s edition brings together 175 galleries from over 20 countries.
2025.09.02
Art Fair_News 10 Must-See Artists Selected by ‘Frieze Seoul 2025’
At Frieze Seoul 2025, a wide range of solo presentations will unfold across the Galleries, Focus Asia, and Masters sections. The fair will not only highlight the breadth of historically significant artists’ careers but also spotlight bold new works and large-scale installations by emerging talents.
2025.09.02
Art Fair_News An Open Platform for Artistic Discourse at ‘Kiaf·Frieze Seoul 2025’
At Korea’s largest art fairs, Kiaf·Frieze Seoul 2025, an open platform for artistic discourse, the “Kiaf x KAMS x Frieze Seoul Talk Program”, will take place from September 4 to 6 at Studio 159 on the 2nd floor of COEX, Seoul.
2025.09.02
Art Fair_News How to Enjoy ‘Frieze Seoul 2025’ to the Fullest
The fourth edition of the Frieze Seoul returns to COEX in the city’s Gangnam neighbourhood from 3 – 6 September, and, in keeping with previous editions, will feature an expansive programme of live art and performance, film, talks and artist projects alongside presentations from 120 galleries.
2025.08.26
Art Fair_News ‘Kiaf SEOUL 2025’ to Unfold as a Vibrant Art Festival
Kiaf SEOUL 2025, Korea’s largest art fair, will take place from Wednesday, September 3 to Sunday, September 7 at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul. During Kiaf Art Week, Kiaf will collaborate with Frieze Seoul as well as domestic and international art institutions to present a wide range of programs, offering audiences a unique opportunity to engage with art.
2025.08.26
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+_News Corporate Support for Arts in Korea Declines After Three Years of Growth
According to the ‘2025 Survey on Corporate Support for the Arts,’ released by the Korea Mecenat Association on June 30, total corporate support for arts and culture in Korea amounted to approximately KRW 196.9 billion in 2025, marking the first year-on-year decline in three years.
2026.07.07
Art+_News Hyundai Motor Announces New Partner Institutions for Hyundai Translocal Series
Hyundai Motor Company today announced new partner institutions for the Hyundai Translocal Series, an initiative that fosters cross-regional artistic collaborations between art institutions in Korea and across the globe. The newly established exchanges will bring together the Ulsan Art Museum (Ulsan, Korea) and the New Museum (New York, USA), as well as the Seo-Seoul Museum of Art (Seoul, Korea) and the Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (Abu Dhabi, UAE).
2026.06.30
Art+_News Publication of “Liminal Figures”, the First Interview Collection to Center Diasporic Korean Artists
“Liminal Figures,” an English-language anthology featuring interviews with 15 artists and collectives working across changing cultural, geographic, and linguistic contexts, has been published. Co-published by GYOPO and The Floorplan, the publication examines how a generation of artists born in the 1980s and 1990s works within conditions of movement, translation, and multiple forms of belonging.
Art+_News Publication of “Jeong: The Spirit of Korean Craft and Design,” the First Book Tracing the Trajectory of Korean Craft and Design
The internationally renowned art publisher Phaidon has recently released the English-language publication “Jeong: The Spirit of Korean Craft and Design,” a book that explores the aesthetics of Korean craft and design. “Jeong: The Spirit of Korean Craft and Design” is the first comprehensive volume to examine the full spectrum of Korean design—from traditional craft to contemporary practice—offering a visually rich account of its creativity, sustainability, and functional beauty.
2026.05.12
Art+_News Galleries Associations of Korea & Gwangju Biennale Sign MOU to Advance the Globalization of Korean Art
The Galleries Association of Korea (Chairman Sunghoon Lee) and the Gwangju Biennale Foundation (President Youn Bummo) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on February 6, 2026 (Friday), formally launching a collaborative partnership to expand the presence of Korean art both domestically and internationally and to strengthen global exchange.
