The work of young Korean artist Sang Woo Kim (b. 1994) has been selected for the ‘Marval Acquisition Award,’ organized by Art Fiera Bologna 2025.

Held annually in Bologna, Italy, Art Fiera Bologna has been running an award program since 2024 to support young and promising artists. This program is sponsored by the Marval Collection, founded in 2018 by two collectors, Marco and Valeria.

The selected works are permanently added to the Marval Collection, and the winning artist is provided with a residency program.

Sang Woo Kim, the Korean artist highlighted by Art Fiera Bologna and the Marval Collection, is represented by the British gallery Herald St. Born in Seoul, he is currently based in London. Since his first solo exhibition at MB Gallery in Berlin in 2017, he has steadily built a strong presence as an artist, showcasing his work in major institutions across London, Berlin, New York, Venice, Tokyo, and Paris, despite his young age.

Kim’s winning piece, The Corner 015 (2024), is a self-portrait meticulously rendered with photographic precision. As a Korean raised in Western society, Kim has experienced an identity crisis, which he confronts and overcomes through his self-portraiture.

The Marval Collection stated that they selected Kim’s work as the award-winning piece to create a connection between Italian and Korean art by adding it to their collection alongside figurative paintings by Italian artist Chiara Enzo, which are already part of their holdings.

References

• 아르떼 피에라 볼로냐 (Art Fiera Bologna)
• 김상우, Sang Woo Kim (Artist Website)

Ji Yeon Lee has been working as an editor for the media art and culture channel AliceOn since 2021 and worked as an exhibition coordinator at samuso (now Space for Contemporary Art) from 2021 to 2023.