By Vice Chairman Song Na-ra
Kiaf Seoul, the most important international art fair in Asia, was held at A Hall and B Hall in COEX, Seoul from Sept. 3 to Sept. 6, 2022, with 164 galleries from 17 countries and regions participating. Meanwhile, Kiaf Plus was held at SETEC from Sept. 2 to 5, 2022.
Kiaf Seoul 2022 has consolidated the status of Korea's leading international art fair city as well as connecting Korean art and global art market with strong line-up of domestic and foreign galleries.
Arario Gallery (Seoul, Cheonan) Gana Art (Seoul, Busan), Gallery Hyundai (Seoul, New York), Hakgojae (Seoul), Johyun Gallery (Busan), Kukje Gallery (Seoul, Busan), Leeahn Gallery (Seoul, Daegu), PKM Gallery (Seoul), Wooson Gallery (Daegu), GOP (Seoul), Jason Haam Gallery (Seoul) and other rising galleries participated.
In addition, the world's most famous galleries such as Axel Vervoordt Gallery (Belgian), Esther Schipper (Germany), Galleria Continua (Italy), Peres Projects (Germany) and Perrotin (France) have also joined.
More than 70,000 VIP and general visitors reportedly visited the six-day event, where Kiaf Seoul and Kiaf Plus were held. In addition, many works were sold beyond imagination.
The total sales of Gallery Hyundai amounted to 4.2 billion won. The works of Ivan Narvarro, Kim Sung-yoon, Lee Kang-seung, Kim Tschang-yeul, Lee Kun-yong, and Lee Seul –gi were sold out.
Three Chung Sang-hwa works were sold for 2.5 billion won. In addition, Kukje Gallery sold Ha Chong-hyeun works for 500 million won, and Kim Jae-yong's Donut works became very popular because more than 20 works were sold.
In addition, all 12 works of Kim Myoung-jin of Galerie Gaia were sold out.
A famous overseas gallery, Peres Projects sold one piece of Peruvian artist Paolo Salvador to an anonymous domestic art museum, and all eight pieces of Makz's entries were sold.
Tristan Pigott's work, who participated in the cylinder, and Ruis Luiz's new work were also sold out. Also, many other artists' works met new collectors.
In addition, the progress of galleries that quickly adapt to the flow of new changes is recognized as a good result in the market.
Especially, they greeted the public with a different form from other art fairs that introduced only traditional works.
At the Wemade booth, which participated as a lead sponsor, visitors continued to visit during the exhibition.
In particular, this year Kiaf was a historical issue that confirmed the possibility of the Korean art market.
The collaboration between the two art fairs creates great synergy, and Seoul, especially Korea, has experienced an opportunity to appear in the world art market splendidly beyond Asia.
Visitors had time to appreciate the world's best variety of gallery works, and the galleries had time to introduce artists to audiences around the world.
