Korean auction house K Auction will hold an art auction at its headquarters in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam, Seoul, on January 22 at 4 PM. A total of 118 works, valued at approximately 70 billion KRW (about $5.5 million), will be up for auction, including key pieces by renowned Korean artists as well as works by internationally acclaimed artists, drawing significant interest from art enthusiasts.

The highlight of this auction is Kim Whanki’s 1969 piece Untitled, a distinctive work featuring blue circles, geometric color planes, and vibrant dots. This piece was previously exhibited at the “10th Memorial Exhibition of Kim Whanki” at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in 1984. Its starting price is set at 9.5 billion KRW (about $720,000). Another notable work, 4-XI-69 #132 (estimated price 8 billion–18 billion KRW, about $600,000–$1.36 million), is one of eight pieces by Kim Whanki included in this auction, offering a renewed exploration of his abstract art world.

Chun Kyungja’s 1959 painting Baekil is also included in the auction. This work was exhibited in the judges' section of the 24th National Art Exhibition at Deoksugung, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, in 1975. Its estimated price is 3 billion–5.5 billion KRW (about $230,000–$420,000). Chun Kyungja’s works are known for their bold colors and delicate emotional expression, and this piece is expected to garner much attention.

The auction also features works by prominent Korean artists such as Lee Bae, Haegue Yang, Jung Youngjoo, Wooh Kukwon, and Moon Hyungtae. Lee Bae is renowned for his innovative use of charcoal in abstract works that transcend the boundaries between East and West, while Haegue Yang presents modern and experimental creations through installations and sculptures.

Jung Youngjoo expresses everyday objects and social themes through a unique visual language, Wooh Kukwon captures the relationship between humans and nature in his emotive and lyrical paintings, and Moon Hyungtae is celebrated for his fairy tale-inspired works featuring distinctive characters and storytelling.

International artists represented in the auction include David Hockney, Nicolas Party, Jean-Michel Othoniel, and Ugo Rondinone. David Hockney reinterprets landscapes and portraits with vibrant colors and expressions of light, Nicolas Party captivates with his distinctive pastel-toned landscapes and surreal imagery, Jean-Michel Othoniel creates sensory and dreamlike installations using glass and metal, and Ugo Rondinone explores the relationship between nature and humanity through various media, including sculpture, installation, and photography.

The works featured in the auction will be available for public viewing at the K-Auction exhibition space from January 11 to January 22. Admission is free. For more details about the auction, visit the K Auction website. Through this event, K Auction aims to highlight the diverse artistic worlds of both Korean and international artists, showcasing the dynamics and values of the art market.