In the vibrant and culturally rich district of Seongbuk-dong, Korea, sits BB&M, an independent gallery making waves in the international art scene. A venture from Founding Principal, James B. Lee, and Principal, Si Young Hur, the gallery is a culmination of years of dedicated commitment to the arts and particularly to the ascendance of Korean artists on the international stage. 

▲ A view of BB&M, courtesy of BB&M.BB&M's journey began as an art consulancy in 2009, and it has played a pivotal role in propelling acclaimed contemporary Korean artists such as Lee Bul, Minouk Lim, Park Chan-kyong, and Bae Young-whan into global recognition.

Si Young Hur, a veteran in the commercial art sector, brings a wealth of experience to the table, having served as Director at Gallery Hyundai and PKM Gallery, and later as Partner at Gallery Baton. Throughout her career, Hur has successfully organized and managed exhibitions for renowned artists like Liam Gillick, Olafur Eliasson, Thomas Struth, Robert Rauschenberg, and Yun Hyong-keun, a pivotal figure in Dansaekhwa.

BB&M opened its doors in October 2021, marking its debut with a solo exhibition of Lee Bul, the leading Korean artist of her generation. The gallery space boasts over 2,500 square feet (233 square meters) of exhibition space spread across two levels. It also features a double-height space with a ceiling that reaches 17.5-feet (5.4 meters). The location of the gallery, close to the Gansong Art Museum, adds an additional cultural context. The Gansong Art Museum, established in 1938, has the distinction of being the first private art museum in Korea.

The gallery’s roster is a blend of distinguished Korean figures such as Minouk Lim, Bae Young-whan, and Heecheon Kim, who have significantly influenced contemporary Korean art on an international scale. BB&M also represents emerging international artists like Alex Dodge and Miko Veldkamp, broadening its reach across various visual cultures.

BB&M has set itself apart by implementing curatorial perspectives from outside the commercial sector. This strategy serves to widen its intellectual purview. A testament to this is the invitation extended to the former New Museum curator Dan Cameron, to organize an exhibition. These efforts underline BB&M’s mission to build an exhibition program that critically and aesthetically engages with contemporary visual ideas.

BB&M | CONTEMPORARY ART GALLERY
10 SEONGBUK-RO 23-GIL, SEOUL 02879

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