[Herald Interview] 'We bring Korean art to another level':President of Christie’s Asia Pacific

When Korean contemporary artist Kim Whan-ki’s masterpiece “05-IV-71#200 (Universe)” fetched 13.2 billion won ($9.6 million) as a highlight of the Christie’s autumn auction season in 2019, it became the highest-ever price for a Korean artwork sold at an auction house. The record remains unbeaten. The record sale has attracted attention to the late artist from home and abroad. Kim is a pioneer of Korean abstract paintings that feature lines and dots with colors reminisce

Sept. 7, 2022

Lacquerware exhibition dazzles Paris

An exhibition at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris will shed light on traditional Korean mother-of-pearl arts and lacquerware. “Najeon, the Korean Mother of Pearl Artworks -- Meeting with the Timeless Shine,” which opened Monday, focuses on artistry and the history of Korean lacquer craftsmanship. Commonly called “najeonchilgi,” the handicrafts are a type of traditional Korean lacquerware or woodwork inlaid with mother-of-pearl. A total of 63 pieces are on display, includi

Sept. 5, 2022

[Herald Interview] Pinault Collection, forward-looking, finds Korean artists impressive

The Pinault Collection, French billionaire Francois Pinault’s collection of contemporary art, holds more than 10,000 works of art by the world’s established artists. The internationally influential art entity, founded in 1999, runs three museums in Europe. “When it comes to the ultimate goal of collecting art, for Francois Pinault, it is really to share. As an entrepreneur, he always goes further, and he is curious about the younger generation,” said Caroline Bourgeois,

Sept. 4, 2022

[From the Scene] Frieze, Kiaf bring local, international art scenes together in Seoul

As 2 p.m. neared, people stood in a line wrapping down the hall on Friday at Coex in Seoul to enter the inaugural Frieze Seoul, with great anticipation for which works would be brought to the first art fair by Frieze in Asia and how its collaboration with the local art fair would turn out over the four-day event. The first edition of Frieze Seoul kicked off at the same time as Kiaf Seoul, a local art fair held since 2002, for its VIP opening. Their first collaboration has attracted some 350 ga

Sept. 2, 2022

[From the Scene] Global galleries light up Hannam-dong celebrating Frieze Seoul

Ahead of the inaugural Frieze Seoul, Hannam-dong in northern Seoul -- an art cluster for international galleries, popularly known as a “hip neighborhood” among young generation -- was full of energy on Thursday night with art lovers from home and abroad who flocked to the town to enjoy the eve of the art fair as part of “Hannam Night.” Galleries stayed late open welcoming guests to showcase exhibitions by artists they represent with music and cocktails; some of galleries

Sept. 2, 2022

[Korean Artists of Note] Artist Kim Sung-hwan's layered works expand organically

   This is the last in a six-part series highlighting the next generation of Korean artists active in the international art scene.-- Ed. Clicking through artist Kim Sung-hwan’s website is like searching through an archive of materials that seem somehow relevant to each other, only their connections are not quite apparent. Each click yields yet another interesting material -- a shot of a paragraph from a book, a black-and-white photo that captures a historical moment, the arti

Sept. 2, 2022

[Well-curated] Feast your eyes on art around town

Commemorating the inaugural Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul that kicks off on Friday, the capital is in a festive mood with a flood of art events such as exhibitions, artist talks and parties well into the night. Sept. 1 to 11 has been designated as the week of art, naming it “Dive into Korean Art,” coinciding with Frieze and Kiaf Seoul. Two art clusters in Seoul, Samcheong and Hannam neighborhoods in northern Seoul, are must-visits this weekend if you are a fan of art. Of course, there

Sept. 2, 2022

Barakat Contemporary leads Korean art scene by looking forward

The first-ever Frieze Seoul event taking place in Korea could be a signal the country is attracting major notice as an Asian art hub. Behind that attention are the many notable galleries trying to develop the country’s art and artists. In the contemporary art scene, Barakat Contemporary, a Seoul-based gallery, has been laying a foundation for positioning Korea’s most noteworthy contemporary art within worldwide trends since its foundation in 2016. Barakat Contemporary’s appro

Sept. 1, 2022

Frieze, Kiaf to bring together established galleries, high quality works in Seoul

Two international art fairs joined by some of the world’s most established galleries will open Friday in Seoul. With more than 350 galleries setting up booths at Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul, the events are expected to attract hundreds of art aficionados from around the world. VIP openings for both shows at Coex in southern Seoul will begin 2 p.m. Friday. Frieze Seoul will be open to the public from Saturday to Monday while Kiaf Seoul will open Saturday through Tuesday. Those who purchase j

Sept. 1, 2022

[Korean Artists of Note] Choi Chan-sook unearths landownership

The following is the fifth in a six-part series highlighting the next generation of Korean artists active in the international art scene. - Ed An automatic reclining massage chair moves back and forth with music playing in the background. Former US President Donald Trump appears on the side issuing a warning against North Korea: “They will be met with fire, fury and frankly power.” Sounds of old ladies' laughter drifts out from the video, seemingly tickled by his remarks. Korean-b

Sept. 1, 2022

Glamorize me: Makeover photo shoots catching on among camera-confident youngster

Photo studios are evolving into one-stop beauty shops allowing customers to experience a professional makeover and a photo shoot as if preparing for the cover of a fashion magazine. One such shop is Stylegrapher in Seoul’s posh Apgujeong-dong in Gangnam-gu. For a complete makeover from top to toe, it has two vanity tables for hair and makeup at one corner and a clothes section filled with chiffon dresses, tank tops and trendy trousers. Dozens of pairs of shoes are laid out too. &ldq

Aug. 31, 2022

Diaspora exhibition at PODO Museum attracts visitors with thought-provoking theme

A museum on Jeju Island is gaining attention with its thought-provoking exhibition. Since opening on July 5, more than 16,000 people have attended PODO Museum’s “Yet, With Love” exhibition, as of Monday. Under the theme “Diaspora and All Minorities of the World,” the exhibition focuses on people who are pursuing new lives away from their geographical and emotional hometowns for various reasons, proposing ways to embrace inclusion and coexistence. Paintings, sculptur

Aug. 30, 2022

[Korean Artists of Note] Kim Young-eun explores migration of sound

The following is the fourth in a six-part series highlighting the next generation of Korean artists active in the international art scene. - Ed The piano is a familiar instrument in Korea, but how did the Western musical instrument come to the country? What impact did the piano have on the music scene at the time? Korean-born artist Kim Young-eun touches on the questions in “Brilliant A.” The video follows the journey of the first-ever piano to arrive in the country, coming acro

Aug. 29, 2022

[Korean artists of Note] ‘A painting is a painting’: Hejum Ba refuses to define images

Following is the third in a six-part series highlighting the next generation of Korean artists active in the international art scene. – Ed Bold color field paintings come into sight upon entering Hejum Ba’s studio in Seoul. The vivid paintings evoke a feeling of mystery in viewers, who may stand in front of the artworks, trying to figure out the subjects of the painting or decipher the artist’s intentions. When it came to explaining the paintings, Ba was reserved. People t

Aug. 28, 2022

New York-based artist Lee Kyung-lim turns cardboards into art

Lee Kyung-lim has been exploring corrugated cardboard for more than 15 years. The harmony of acrylics, resin and corrugated cardboard create a unique texture of her works that embody scenes of nature and cities she has traveled to around the world. “Corrugated cardboard has winding symmetrical curves on the surface. They have straight lines as well. They are easy to cut, and they absorb water fast. Corrugated cardboards are an attractive material for me,” Lee said. The 54-year-o

Aug. 26, 2022

Forum explores meaning of space and its impact on cultural communication

Physical space is as important as ever in the post-pandemic era contrary to suggestions that virtual space would largely eliminate physical space, according to experts. A group of noted scholars and architects discussed the meaning of space and its impact on cultural communication in the pandemic era at the 2022 Culture Communication Forum on Thursday. The 13th edition of the forum, organized by the Corea Image Communication Institute, was held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan-gu, central

Aug. 25, 2022

[Herald Design Forum 2022] Tadao Ando highlights value of living in harmony with nature

In modern society where people try to pursue almost everything virtually, it is easy to forget that architecture can provide a space for emotional stability and inspiration, beyond its practical use. “No matter how advanced the technology gets, humans remain ‘irrational’ and ‘imperfect’ beings who live with emotions and memories,” said Tadao Ando, a Japanese architect who won the 1995 Pritzker Prize. “I believe architecture has unchanging values that a

Aug. 24, 2022

Sculpture show opens on Ttukseom Hangang Park

An outdoor park along the Han River has been turned into an exhibition stage for sculptures. The 2022 Hangang Sculpture Project, jointly organized by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and K-Sculpture, an organization promoting Korean sculptors and their works, kicked off Saturday at Ttukseom Hangang Park.   Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and Youn Young-dal, chairman of Crown-Haitai and K-Sculpture, attended the opening ceremony. Some 1,100 sculptures are on display, harmonizing with the riverside

Aug. 24, 2022

[Korean Artists of Note] Lee Hee-joon ‘builds’ painting with layers of colors

  Following is the second in a six-part series highlighting the next generation of Korean artists active in the international art scene. – Ed At a glance, Lee Hee-joon‘s studio seems like that of an architect or carpenter, with paints and equipment likely to be used on construction sites scattered around the space. Since early this year, Lee has been working at Seoul Art Space Geumcheon in northern Seoul as part of a residency program. Lee’s recent series, “Image

Aug. 24, 2022

[Korean Artists of Note] Lee Kang-seung rewrites history through artistic practice

Following is the first in a six-part series highlighting the next generation of Korean artists active in the international art scene. – Ed In the graphite drawings of Hong Kong-born photographer Tseng Kwong Chi and Chinese ballet dancer Goh Choo San, artist Lee Kang-seung blurred Tseng, making his presence more vivid. The acclaimed photographer and choreographer were active in the West in the late 20th century. Yet, they were marginalized individuals who faced discrimination and prejud

Aug. 23, 2022