연합뉴스
| yna@yna.co.kr 2026-09-07 05:11:13
SEOUL, Sept. 7 (Yonhap) -- Art fairs Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul drew the curtains Sunday and Monday, respectively, with both major art events growing participation by younger collectors and active sales across a wide range of price points.
According to Frieze, more than 70,000 visitors from 54 countries attended this year's Frieze Seoul. While attendance was similar to last year, a record 178 museum and institutional representatives from 25 countries across the Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America and the Middle East visited the fair.
"Collectors and institutional representatives from diverse countries came to Seoul this year, and sales were made across a broad range of price points, from emerging artists to masters of modern and contemporary Korean art," said Patrick Lee, director of Frieze Seoul. "Frieze Seoul is growing into an increasingly international fair."
Kiaf Seoul drew about 80,000 visitors, similar to last year's figure.
Lee Sung-hoon, chairman of the Galleries Association of Korea, which organizes Kiaf Seoul, said, "Seeing the exhibition halls packed with visitors through the final day made me realize that Kiaf has established itself not only as a platform introducing Korean and international art, but also as a cultural and artistic venue where more people can enjoy contemporary art."
◇ Frieze Seoul builds strength through mid- to high-priced sales
The fifth edition of Frieze Seoul featured 133 galleries from 30 countries and regions.
Although sales of ultra-high-priced works costing more than 1 billion won declined compared with previous years, the fair was considered to have achieved solid results through strong sales of works priced in the tens of millions to hundreds of millions of won.
Frieze said sales continued across a wide range of price points, from works costing tens of dollars to those priced at more than US$1 million, while works by artists featured in solo presentations also performed well.
Among Korean galleries, Kukje Gallery sold a 1971 painting by Yoo Young-kuk for 2.2 billion-2.5 billion won, marking the highest price paid for a work by a Korean artist at Frieze Seoul.
Gallery Hyundai sold five works by Kim Tschang-yeul and three by Lee Seung-taek. Kim's works sold for up to US$1.1 million (about 1.49 billion won), while Lee's works fetched as much as US$700,000 (about 950 million won). Combined sales of works by the two artists exceeded US$2.3 million (about 3.1 billion won).
Johyun Gallery sold works by Lee Bae for up to US$140,000 (about 190 million won). LEE & BAECH Gallery sold a work by Matsuyama Tomokazu for US$290,000 (about 390 million won) and an acrylic-on-canvas work by Lee Kang-so for 320 million won.
International galleries also reported sales of works by major artists.
Almine Rech sold paintings by Lee Ufan and George Condo for US$1.25 million-1.5 million each (about 1.69 billion-2.02 billion won), while Hauser & Wirth sold a painting by Rashid Johnson for US$1.2 million (about 1.62 billion won).
Thaddaeus Ropac sold a painting by Adrian Ghenie for 1.1 million euros (about 1.72 billion won) and a sculpture by Antony Gormley for £750,000 (about 1.37 billion won).
White Cube sold two works from Park Seo-bo's "Ecriture" series for US$300,000 (about 405 million won) and £250,000 (about 460 million won), respectively. Gladstone sold several works on paper by Keith Haring for US$200,000-275,000 each (about 270 million-370 million won), as well as paintings by Ugo Rondinone for about US$70,000 each (about 90 million won).
Gagosian also completed sales from its booth dedicated to a solo presentation of Damien Hirst.
◇ Kiaf marks 25th anniversary with younger collectors and expanded experiences
Kiaf Seoul, marking its 25th anniversary this year, brought together 175 galleries from 18 countries.
Kiaf said it confirmed that the art market is broadening as participation by younger generations and new collectors continues to increase.
Sales were evenly distributed across high-, mid- and lower-priced works.
Kukje Gallery sold more than 20 works by artists including Yoo Young-kuk, Park Seo-bo, Ahn Kyu-chul, Hong Seung-hye, Jean-Michel Othoniel and Julian Opie. Gallery Hyundai sold works by Nam June Paik, Chung Sang-hwa, Kim Bo-hee and Kim Sung-yoon, recording sales of more than 1.8 billion won. Opera Gallery sold a work by Alex Katz for about US$180,000 (about 240 million won).
Kiaf introduced a creative director system for the first time this year, with director Jung Gu-ho overseeing changes to the fair's spaces and content.
Under the theme "Coexistence," the fair presented the special exhibition "HUMAL," an augmented reality expansion of the exhibition titled "VIRTUAL VITAL," and "Kiaf Classic," a performance by pianist Cho Seong-jin, creating an expanded viewing experience combining art with music and technology.
Jung said, "We focused on embodying the direction of 'coexistence' across the spaces, exhibitions and programs, while allowing visitors to experience art in diverse ways."
Many high-profile figures also visited the fairs during the event period.
Among them were Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Culture Minister Choi Hwi-young, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Director Kim Sung-hee and Seoul Arts Center President Chang Han-na.
From the business community, Shinsegae Group Chairman Chung Yong-jin, an official sponsor of Frieze, Lotte Group Chairman Shin Dong-bin, Crown Haitai Chairman Yoon Young-dal, who has supported Korean sculpture, and KB Financial Group Chairman Yang Jong-hee toured the exhibitions.
Entertainment figures also turned out for the fairs, including actors Bae Jong-ok, Chae Si-ra, Han So-hee, Park Eun-bin, Jung Il-woo, So Yoo-jin, Eom Ji-won, Oh Young-sil and Park So-dam; models Shio Yano and Lee Hyun-yi; singer Insooni; singer-rapper WOODZ; The8 of boy group SEVENTEEN; and Annie and Bailey of coed group ALLDAY PROJECT.
[ⓒ K-VIBE. 무단전재-재배포 금지]