28,000 Gather at 'Art:Gwangju'... Emerging as a Hub for International Art Exchange

Participation from 10 Countries Overseas
Record-Breaking Attendance and Transaction Volume

Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung attended the 16th Gwangju International Art Fair held at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center on the 23rd, viewing the exhibited works with guests. Provided by Gwangju City

The 16th Gwangju International Art Fair (Art:Gwangju), the largest art market in the Honam region, was held successfully over four days from October 23 to 26 at the Kim Dae-jung Convention Center. This year’s event drew a record 28,023 visitors, injecting new vitality into the local art market and further enhancing Gwangju’s reputation as a city of culture and the arts.

According to Gwangju City on October 29, the number of visitors this year increased by 12% compared to last year’s 25,070, reflecting the strong interest in the art market. Art transactions also rose to 770, up from the previous year, with high-value art transactions notably increasing from 30 to 46, contributing to the overall expansion of the market.

From the opening day, the docent program for artwork explanations quickly sold out, and long lines formed even before the official opening, signaling enthusiastic responses from visitors and foreshadowing the event’s success.

This year’s Art:Gwangju demonstrated its potential to become more than just a regional event, emerging as a venue for international art exchange. Eleven galleries from ten countries, including Japan and Spain, participated, showcasing a diverse range of global artworks. Notably, seven of these galleries returned after participating last year, indicating high satisfaction and sustained interest from overseas galleries. This is seen as a positive sign that Gwangju could grow into a major hub in the global art market, extending beyond Asia.

Jeon Eunok, Director of Culture and Sports, stated, "Art has the power to elevate the dignity of a city and enrich the lives of its citizens," adding, "We will strive to ensure that Art:Gwangju becomes a stage of dreams for artists and a joyful art festival for citizens."