10 Artists Who Are Defining The Korean Art Market

Since 2014, the Korean art market has been in constant growth. International galleries are quick to relocate to Seoul. The biggest art fairs such as Frieze are now traveling to the South Korean capital. The popularity of Seoul on the art market is mostly due to the Millenials, who are increasingly interested in Korean culture. Artsper introduces you to this expanding art market, with these 10 artists who define it. 

1. Lee Ufan

It’s difficult to ignore the contribution of Lee Ufan to the boom of Korean art. Although he is part of the older generation of Korean artists, Lee Ufan remains one of the biggest names of the Korean art market. In installation, sculptures, as in painting, Lee Ufan explores different theories and philosophies. He is mostly interested in the spatial and temporal conditions of his work.                                                                                                                                   

2. Suki Seokyeong Kang

Born in 1977, this Korean artist is one of the biggest names of the art market. Her work is mostly inspired by her own philosophical research and reflection on space and our place in it. She uses sculpture, installation, and performance to explore these ideas. Her works were presented, among others, in the Venice and Shanghai Biennales.

3. Park Seo-Bo

At 90 years old, Park Seo-Bo is still one of the most sold Korean artists, and one of the most popular in the world. Considered one of the precursors of modern art in Korea, he managed to introduce abstraction at a hostile and conservative time. He is one of the founding members of the Dansaekhwa movement, which gathers Korean traditional principles, and innovative abstraction. 

4. Lee Bul

Born in 1964, Lee Bul addresses feminist themes such as the patriarchy and the marginalization of women through sculptures and installations. She attempts to highlight the underlying ideologies of our society and to make us question them. She presented her work at the MoMA and was honored at the Venice Biennale in 1999.

5. Minjung Kim 

The work of the Korean Minjung Kim instantly appeases; she describes her canvases as her “states of mind”. This may be the reason why the artist managed to conquer the public and the international biennales. Her use of ink makes her works a symbolic homage to ancient Asian art practices.

6. Haegue Yang

Born in 1971, Haegue Yang is innovative in the way in which she addresses the themes she cares about: migration, social mobility, or even forced exile. Her objective is to show that conceptual art can be a way to talk about these political and philosophical topics.

7. Chong-Hyun Ha

Just like Park Seo-Bo, Chong-Hyun Ha is a major figure of the Dansaekhwa movement, the monochrome movement. On top of being a regular at the world’s biennales, some of his works reached record prices at Christie’s. Chong-Hyun Ha works with textures, reliefs on the canvas, which make each of his works unique. His innovative technique makes him, still today, one of the most impactful Korean artists on the art market. 

8. Anicka Yi

The art of Anicka Yi transports in an intriguing and grotesque universe. Between philosophy and biochemistry, Anicka Yi creates with unusual materials. She is known for using scents in her works. Her sculptures, installations, and paintings are full-fledged experiences, which address socio-political themes, through unconventional means. The controversial originality of Anicka Yi makes her one of the most exhibited Korean artists.

9. Lee Kun-Yong

The painter, sculptor and videographer Lee Kun-Yong surprises and captivates on all fronts. While his finished products are gems on the art market, it’s the creative process that interests him instead. Considered the precursor of performative art and avant-garde in Korea, Lee Kun-Yong is definitely a major figure in the Korean art market.

10. Suh Do-Ho

Born in Seoul in 1962, Suh Do-Ho mostly works in sculpture and installation. His impressive journey caused him to be exhibited at the MoMA, at the Whitney Museum in New York, and at the Tate Gallery in London. In his work, he is interested in space from a philosophical and psychological standpoint.In all, the Korean art market is shared between the more ancient generation of monochrome artists and the young avant-gardistes.

In any case, the art market in Korea is climbing to the same level as the international markets. If you’d like to know more, you can read about 10 Korean artists you must know on Artsper.