International Art Dealers Association Signs MOU with GBA (Global Business Alliance)

The International Art Dealer Association (IADA) announced on the 3rd that it has signed a business agreement with the Global Business Alliance (GBA) to expand the Korean art market into the global market, foster art dealers, and establish a collaborative ecosystem for culture and the arts.

The International Art Dealer Association (IADA) is an academy-style association established to revitalize the Korean art market, support the continuous activities of emerging Korean artists and creators, and cultivate professional art dealers.

GBA aims to connect foreign companies and buyers active in Korea with domestic companies and provide various marketing and management information to help launch Korean products overseas. Founded in 2019, it is a gathering of foreign business leaders who studied or naturalized in Korea from over 60 countries worldwide, along with Korean business leaders, with a membership of about 300.

Chairman Oh Sinan (48), originally from Turkey, came to study at Seoul National University in 1997 and later naturalized. He currently manages the Kerban Group, which operates 13 directly managed Turkish & Mediterranean restaurants in the metropolitan area.

Through this business agreement, the two organizations will collaborate on exhibition planning and art seminars hosted by the International Art Dealer Association and GBA, and also work together to popularize the art market. Executives and staff from both organizations attended the signing ceremony.

GBA Chairman Oh Sinan said, “I hope that by cooperating together, the two organizations will present a new paradigm through the joint development and benefit enhancement of Korean culture and arts and the establishment of a collaborative ecosystem. Furthermore, I hope that more artists worldwide will interact through the infrastructure collaboration between GBA and the International Art Dealer Association.” He expressed high hopes for the bright future of both organizations.

Lee Daehee, CEO of the International Art Dealer Association, stated, “Cooperation with GBA, which has established excellent infrastructure worldwide, will be a great strength in laying the foundation to elevate the Korean art market globally.” He also expressed his ambition, saying, “We will continue to do our best to make the art market more accessible to the public, not just a market for a few.”