First Auction of 2025 to be Held at 4 p.m. on the 22nd
118 Works Worth Approximately 7 Billion KRW
Eight Works by Kim Whanki, Plus Pieces by Lee Bae, Kang Yobae, Woo Gukwon, and More
K Auction will hold its first auction of the new year 2025 at 4 p.m. on the 22nd at its headquarters in Sinsa-dong, Seoul. A total of 118 works, worth approximately 7 billion KRW, will be exhibited, featuring a diverse range from masterpieces by Korean art masters to unique works by overseas artists, attracting attention.
This auction will showcase various representative works by Kim Whanki, a master of Korean abstract art. The 1969 work 'Untitled' (starting bid 950 million KRW), created during his New York period, was exhibited at the 'Kim Whanki 10th Anniversary Exhibition' held at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in 1984. Along with this, eight works including the 1969 piece '4-XI-69 #132' (800 million to 1.8 billion KRW) will be presented, with his representative works drawing attention for their experimental and original aesthetics and cosmic symbolism from his New York era.
Cheon Kyungja’s work 'Baekil 白日' (300 million to 550 million KRW) is regarded as a masterpiece representing the artist’s prime in the 1970s. It is part of the 'Era of Purple Jeonghan' series, creating a dreamy and fantastic atmosphere through the harmony of blue and purple hues, and was submitted in the juried section of the 25th National Art Exhibition in 1975.
Works by contemporary artists who continue to receive attention are also included, such as Lee Bae’s 'From Fire - ch3-19' (150 million to 250 million KRW) and 'Brushstroke A08' (70 million to 150 million KRW). Lee Jinwoo’s 'Untitled No. 16c-018' (50 million to 90 million KRW) and 'Untitled No. 16c-030' (20 million to 50 million KRW) are original works using hanji paper and charcoal, reflecting the artist’s exploration of Korean identity and a new language of material aesthetics.
Kang Yo-bae’s 'Chamoe Field' (15 million to 40 million KRW) and 'Bongsunga' (13 million to 50 million KRW) are also exhibited, expressing vitality and the cycle of nature beyond simple landscape depiction.
Works by contemporary artists are also richly presented. Star artists with unique styles such as Yang Hye-kyu, Woo Guk-won, Jung Young-joo, Moon Hyung-tae, and Kang Jun-seok are included. Notably, Woo Guk-won’s 'Conversation Got Boring' (100 million to 200 million KRW) attracted attention as it was once owned by actress Son Ye-jin. This work gained public interest when it was shown hanging in Son Ye-jin’s living room on a past variety show. (The auction is not by Son Ye-jin herself; the ownership reportedly changed in the meantime.)
This auction also awaits new owners for works by overseas artists such as David Hockney (170 million to 250 million KRW) and Nicolas Party (70 million to 90 million KRW).
The works exhibited in the auction can be previewed at the K Auction exhibition hall from the 11th to the 22nd. The preview is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and is free for anyone to visit. Participation in the auction is possible after free membership registration with K Auction, through written bids, on-site bids, telephone bids, or online live bidding.
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