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The world-class art fairs Frieze Seoul and Korea International Art Fair (Kiaf), the largest art fair in Korea, simultaneously opened at COEX in Seoul on the 4th with a VIP preview.

On the 4th, a visitor at 'Frieze Seoul' held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, is taking a photo of George Condo's 'Self-Portrait' with a mobile phone. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Frieze Seoul is held in COEX Halls C and D until the 7th, while Kiaf takes place in COEX Halls A and B, the Grand Ballroom, and the 2nd floor The Platz until the 8th.

Frieze Seoul features over 110 domestic and international galleries led by world-renowned galleries such as Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, and David Zwirner. The number of participating galleries has slightly decreased compared to last year.

Gagosian is exhibiting paintings by Derek Adams and sculptures by Maurizio Cattelan, Hauser & Wirth is showcasing paintings by Nicolas Party and sculptures by Louise Bourgeois, White Cube presents paintings by Georg Baselitz, and Spr?th Magers is exhibiting paintings by George Condo.

Lehmann Maupin Gallery is presenting works by Kim Yoon-shin, Lee Bul, Seo Do-ho, and Sung Neung-kyung, while Spr?th Magers Gallery booth features works by Imi Rae. Pace Gallery is unveiling works including major paintings by Lee Ufan from the 1980s.

On the 4th, visitors are passing in front of the Gagosian Gallery booth at 'Frieze Seoul' held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The 'Frieze Masters' section, which introduces masterpieces from ancient times to the mid-20th century, notably features a large participation of Asian galleries this year. Hakgojae highlights seven modern and contemporary artists including Kim Whanki, Nam June Paik, Byun Wol-ryong, Ryu Kyung-chae, and Jung Chang-seop. Gana Art holds a trio exhibition of masters Jang Uk-jin, Choi Jong-tae, and Oh Su-hwan. Tokyo Gallery + BTAP introduces Korean Dansaekhwa artists including Park Seo-bo and Japanese Mono-ha works, and Uson presents a solo exhibition of Lee Young-mi. France’s Le Regain Lumi?re exhibits medieval and Renaissance manuscripts and jewelry, while Galerie Mitterrand presents 1960s sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle.

The 'Focus Asia' section, featuring galleries established within the last 12 years in Asia, is planned as solo exhibitions by 10 artists including Lee Jong-hwan, Jeon So-jung, Lu Yang, and Evelyn Taocheng Wang.

Patrick Lee, the overall director of Frieze Seoul, explained, "Among the 110 participating galleries this year, 63% are Asian galleries, with 31 Korean galleries. Among them, 23 galleries are participating for the first time, which means the base of Frieze Seoul has expanded."

On the 4th, visitors are viewing the exhibition at 'Frieze Seoul' held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Kiaf Seoul, with the keyword 'Expansion,' features about 200 domestic and international galleries. The main event, the Gallery section, includes 165 galleries, while the 'Solo' section, organized as solo exhibitions, features 14 galleries. The 'Plus' section includes 27 emerging galleries operating for less than 10 years, showcasing fresh curatorial ideas. This year, the ‘Masterpiece’ section, benchmarked after Frieze Masters, was launched for the first time, gathering authentic modern masterpieces from Korea and abroad in one place.

International Gallery focuses on Korea’s first-generation female sculptor Kim Yoon-shin in the Gallery section. Gallery Hyundai presents a large number of abstract and experimental artists including Kim Ki-rin, Kim Min-jung, Kim Chang-ryeol, Lee Kang-so, and Yoo Geun-taek. Lian Gallery features Kim Taek-sang as a representative artist, and Hakgojae reveals diverse works by emerging artists such as Ji Geun-wook and Park Kwang-soo. Spain’s Alvaran Burda Gallery exhibits works by the Danish artist group Superflex, Japan’s Standing Pine Gallery presents textile works by Abdoulaye Konat?, and Japan’s Snow Contemporary introduces works by David Stenbeck using Cinema 4D software.

On the 4th, visitors at the Korea International Art Fair (Kiaf) held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, are viewing the exhibition. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Marking its third year, Frieze Seoul has seen an increasing number of foreign collectors visiting annually, and this year attracted many foreign visitors from the start. Kiaf showed a successful opening scene. Visitors noted the expanded space compared to previous years, comfortable viewing environment, and the elevated quality of exhibited works.

During the art fair period, galleries and museums in areas such as Samcheong-dong and Hannam-dong in Seoul keep their exhibition halls open until night, hosting various performances. Previously, on the 2nd and 3rd, 'Euljiro Night' and 'Hannam Night' were held in Euljiro and Hannam-dong respectively, and on the opening day, the 4th, a 'Night' event took place around Samcheong-dong, followed by events on the 5th in Apgujeong and Cheongdam-dong areas.