Home
KIAF Seoul 2024: South Korea’s Largest Art Fair Shines Again
KIAF Seoul 2024, the largest art fair in South Korea, once again confirmed its status as a top cultural event in Asia. The fair featured a wide variety of contemporary and modern art. It attracted gallery directors, collectors, and museum representatives from around the world.
According to Dal-Seung Hwang, president of the Galleries Association of Korea, the event saw a rise in new exhibitors, boosting its international appeal. This year, 207 galleries participated, including 130 domestic ones, showcasing the depth and diversity of Korean art. Interviews with industry experts highlighted KIAF’s crucial role in driving market success. They also emphasized how the fair solidifies South Korea’s standing on the global art stage.
Record-Breaking Visitor Numbers and 2025 Outlook
This year’s edition attracted over 80,000 visitors, a 20% increase from last year, signaling growing international interest. This surge highlights the rising global recognition of the event, particularly after its collaboration with Frieze Seoul. Many experts believe that this success signals a bright future for the 2025 edition. They predict increased participation from galleries and collectors around the world.
Best 5 Booths at KIAF Seoul 2024
- Carl Kostyál: Showcasing an exciting range of contemporary works by Camilla Engström, Heesoo Kim, Hiroya Kurata, and Austin Lee. This booth left a lasting impression on international collectors with its diverse styles.
- Everyday Mooonday: Featuring contemporary artists Heesoo Kim and Moonassi, the gallery captivated visitors with emotionally charged and vibrant artworks.
- Gallery Mark: Takeru Amano’s live drawing event stole the show with his bold pop-art style, making the booth one of the busiest.
- LEE EUGEAN GALLERY: The socially reflective works by Joseph Choï and Suejin Chung stood out for their thought-provoking commentary.
- Peres Projects: The gallery impressed visitors with dynamic, immersive works by Emily Ludwig Shaffer, Dylan Solomon Kraus, and Austin Lee.
Photo by KIAF Seoul Operating Committee. Courtesy of KIAF Seoul.
Notable Sales at KIAF Seoul 2024
- Kim Yun-shin – Kukje Gallery: Her solo booth featuring a mix of paintings and sculptures saw multiple sales, with prices ranging from ₩20 million to ₩150 million (USD 15,000–90,000).
- Hiroshi Senju, “Waterfall on Colors” – Sundaram Tagore Gallery: This ethereal painting sold for ₩560 million (USD 420,000).
- Lee Kang-so & Park Seo-bo – Gallery Yoon: Lee Kang-so’s large-scale work sold for ₩120 million (USD 90,000), while several pieces by Park Seo-bo were sold, highlighting their continued demand.
Sales Report and Overall Assessment
Despite some slower sales on opening day, optimism remained high throughout the event. Major international galleries, such as Thaddaeus Ropac and Sundaram Tagore, reported strong sales, contributing to the fair’s estimated total of over $50 million. The collaboration with Frieze Seoul was key in attracting international collectors and increasing the visibility of Korean contemporary art.
Over 60% of the exhibited works were sold, with smaller and more affordable pieces seeing the strongest demand. Both Korean and international buyers showed growing interest in a wide variety of works.
Conclusion
KIAF Seoul 2024 successfully solidified its place as a major event in the global art market, achieving record attendance and strong sales. The fair continues to play a key role in connecting Korean and international art communities, and as the Korean art scene flourishes, KIAF is set to remain a pivotal event in the evolution of the art market in Asia and beyond.
If you’re curious about
Frieze Seoul 2024?
🥄 Explore Art Spoon’s services for artists to discover how we help manage and promote your artistic journey.
All information was sourced from Artnet, The Korea Herald, Artsy, and Ocula.
