Korea's Premier Art Fair Prepares for May Event Featuring International and Local Talent

Courtesy of Art Busan

Art Busan is set to return next month with an extended range of main and satellite programs, aiming to reinforce its stature as one of Korea's leading art fairs in the southeastern city of Busan amidst a cooling market.

Scheduled to commence with a VIP preview on May 9, the four-day fair will convene 127 galleries from 20 countries at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO). Notable participants include Pearl Lam Galleries, Peres Projects, and Tang Contemporary Art, alongside debutants such as New York-based Art Tribeca and Madrid-headquartered WE COLLECT.
 

▲ Art Busan, one of Korea’s leading homegrown art fairs is returning to the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center for its 13th iteration from May 9 to 12 / Courtesy of Art Busan

Local highlights feature Kukje Gallery showcasing the works of the country’s first-generation female sculptor Kim Yun-shin alongside postwar "dansaekhwa" (monochrome painting) masters. PKM Gallery will focus on Koo Jeong-a, set to represent the Korean Pavilion at the forthcoming Venice Biennale.

International artists of prominence include Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota, recognized for her expansive webs of threads, featured at Gana Art, and Robert Indiana, renowned for his "Love" sculptures, showcased at Gallery Hyundai.

In addition to gallery booths, the 13th edition of Art Busan will host eight special exhibitions under the program "Connect."
 

▲ Kang Kang-hoon's "After Sunset" (2022) / Courtesy of Johyun GalleryTo ensure coherence across each exhibition, the fair organizer appointed Henna Joo, an associate professor of arts and cultural management at Hongik University, as the program’s inaugural guest director. 

The exhibitions are centered around two primary themes: a dialogue among Asian art scenes and a spotlight on modern and contemporary female artists. 

"Herstory" orchestrates a conversation among first-generation Asian women masters including Yayoi Kusama, Jung Kang-ja, Park Re-hyun, and Xiao Lu, alongside Western contemporaries such as Cindy Sherman. Meanwhile, "Focus Asia: China" delves into the works of notable modern Chinese creatives including Zhu Jinshi, Yan Lei, Ma Shuqing, and Tan Ping.

The Art Accent segment, aimed at promoting emerging artists, showcases the collaboration between Korean ultra-contemporary creatives and counterparts from London’s Royal College of Art.
 

▲ Mr. Doodle's "Minnie & Daisy" (2023) / Courtesy of Pearl Lam GalleriesConcurrent with the fair is Busan Art Week, a weeklong cultural festivity offering an immersion into the port city's culture through art, food, and tourist attractions. Activities include gallery exhibitions, late-night openings, themed menus at local eateries, and artist-designed suites at select hotels.Acknowledging recent economic challenges impacting sales at major fairs like Art Basel Hong Kong, Jeong Seok-ho, Art Busan’s managing director, emphasized the event's focus on developing unique programs irrespective of market conditions.

"In 2019, Korea's status as an art hub was not as pronounced," he stated. "While global fairs like Art Basel or Frieze have their roles, we have decided to focus on our distinct path."

In 2023, Art Busan expanded its reach with the introduction of "Define: Seoul," a boutique fair blending fine art with design in the capital's Seongsu-dong district. The organizer is considering international expansion for the following year, with specific plans pending.▲ Poster for Art Busan 2024 / Courtesy of Art Busan

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Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com