ART OnO 2025 Draws Attention with a Strong Lineup of Global Galleries

‘ART OnO 2025,’ held at SETEC (Seoul Trade Exhibition & Convention) from April 11 to 13, positions itself as a platform showcasing new trends in contemporary art and fostering international networks. A preview will be held on April 10. Now in its second edition, this year’s fair will host around 40 galleries from over 20 countries. Notably, around ten of these international galleries will be making their debut at a Korean art fair, signaling ART OnO’s growing role in expanding the global reach of Korea’s contemporary art scene.

A New Entry Point Linking the Global Art World

Renowned international galleries such as Kaikai Kiki Gallery, MASSIMO DE CARLO, NINO MIER Gallery, Tomio Koyama Gallery, Galerie Sultana, AISHO, CHAUFFEUR, NIKA Project Space, and Artemin Gallery are participating in ART OnO for the first time. With strong portfolios of experimental and distinctive artists, these galleries are expected to introduce fresh perspectives and aesthetics to the Korean art world. This positions ART OnO not merely as an exhibition platform, but as an emerging art hub connecting Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Diverse Contemporary Artists and Renowned Global Galleries

Kaikai Kiki Gallery, founded by Japanese contemporary art icon Takashi Murakami, presents works by notable artists such as Aya Takano, Chiho Aoshima, MADSAKI, Mr., Emi Kuraya, Kasing Lung, ob, and Otani Workshop. MASSIMO DE CARLO, based in Italy, brings works by Paola Pivi, John McAllister, and Mark Yang. Tomio Koyama Gallery showcases a wide range of artists from blue-chip names like Yoko Ono and Kishio Suga to emerging artists like Makiko Kudo and Rika Minamitani. NINO MIER Gallery, operating in New York and Brussels, features expressive and original works by Nicola Tyson, Jansson Stegner, Ethan Cook, and Debora Druick. Paris-based Galerie Sultana introduces artists like Sophie Varin and Justin Fitzpatrick in a casual, candy-store-style booth that lowers the threshold for art appreciation and collecting.

Expanding Dialogue with the Asian Art Scene

A strong contingent of Asian galleries, including Tomio Koyama Gallery, MISAKO & ROSEN, SAC Gallery, CON_, and EUKARYOTE, are participating, creating a vibrant space for exchange across East and Southeast Asia. CON_, founded in Tokyo in 2022, presents experimental exhibitions centered on visual culture and urban identity. Taipei-based Artemin Gallery explores sensory and neural transmission through art. Paris and Dubai-based NIKA Project Space spotlights women and Global South artists with a conceptual and philosophical curatorial approach.

Returning Galleries Reinforce Trust and Continuity

Numerous galleries that received acclaim during the inaugural edition—such as A-Lounge, ARARIO GALLERY, ARTSIDE GALLERY, Gallery Baton, Esther Schipper, Peres Projects, and Choi&Choi Gallery—are returning this year. Their participation reflects the strong trust and lasting networks that ART OnO has built with galleries, collectors, curators, and other art professionals.

Contemporary Voices from Korea and Abroad

Participating galleries present artworks by contemporary artists responding to the digital age through new visual languages. ARARIO GALLERY showcases artists born in the 1980s—including Noh Sangho, Baek Junggi, Ahn Jisan, Im Noshik, and Cha Hyunwook—who examine digital media culture through contemporary aesthetics. Choi&Choi Gallery highlights works by Dale Lewis, David Lehmann, and Song Jeehye, exploring themes of social narrative, emotional realism, and color experimentation.

Extending Art Discourse through Talks

One of ART OnO’s signature features is its talk program, which spans contemporary art, architecture, fashion, and culture. Going beyond fixed genres or formats, these sessions explore how art connects with society and markets, offering audiences deeper insights into the broader ecosystem of contemporary creativity.

Experiencing Contemporary Art Through Multi-layered Programs

In addition to exhibitions, ART OnO offers a variety of programs to help audiences experience art more meaningfully. A docent program led by professional educators provides in-depth insights into featured artists and works. The kids program, developed in collaboration with Joy Museum, invites children to explore contemporary art through observation, creation, and play. Activities include gallery tours, collecting book-making, and hands-on creation, offering a comprehensive, accessible art experience.

 

A New Model for Art Platforms

Beyond the conventional model of buying and selling, ART OnO aims to be a dynamic art platform where exhibition, dialogue, and experience converge. By fostering interactions among generations, geographies, and disciplines, the fair presents a future-oriented model for Korea’s contemporary art scene—one that is deeply integrated with the global art ecosystem.