Fears of economic recession, but artworks sold immediately after the opening
6,000 visitors on the first day, a 30% increase from last year…’Cultural Hotspot’
Unlike previous years, both halls A and B of COEX were used, providing a pleasant flow
The largest participation ever with over 168 participants…received positive feedback similar to Kiaf
MZ generation collectors on the rise, marking a trend of “joyful art consumption”
‘2025 Art Fair’ part 2 will be held on June 26 in Suwon
[Seoul=Newsis] Art specialist reporter Park Hyun-joo states, “I’m not sure what’s happening. I didn’t expect much due to political turmoil and the economic downturn, but it was overwhelming to see so many people and artworks being sold.”
The ‘2025 Art Fair’ surprised gallery owners and concluded ‘truly successfully’.
On the 20th, the Korea Gallery Association (President Lee Sung-hoon) announced that the ‘2025 Art Fair’, which opened on the 16th, achieved remarkable results with approximately 60,000 visitors over five days, surpassing last year’s numbers. Now in its 43rd year, the event was the largest of its kind, involving over 168 member galleries of the association.
The Korea Gallery Association remarked, “The fair reconfirmed its influence on the cultural sector as a large-scale art fair in the first half of the year, backed by its long tradition,” adding, “We perceived changes in the art market driven by MZ generation collectors who have emerged as a strong consumer group in social media and retail markets.”
This year’s art fair expanded from last year. Utilizing both halls A and B on the first floor of COEX, the enlarged exhibition space created an atmosphere akin to ‘Kiaf’, receiving praised feedback from collectors who initially had low expectations.
For the first time, the art fair introduced a themed docent program, which also sold out. Themed around ‘The Flow of Korean Contemporary Art’, ‘Art Comforting Life’, and ‘Sculpture·Media Art: Expansion of Art’, the docent program presented a new direction for the art fair by offering deeper understanding and experience of the art market and art.
The solo booths, akin to individual exhibitions, were popular, and emerging artists thrived. Thanks to MZ generation collectors, smaller affordable artworks were actively sold. Works by Gam Manji from ZOOM gallery, Seo Anna from U Art Space, and Yoon Dan-ya from Yewon gallery continued to see interest throughout the event.
Also notable was the introduction of the solo booth section for the first time this year. Artists like Kim Sun-woo from Gana Art and Park Sung-ok from OKNP had complete sell-outs on the first day. Park Tae-hoon from Kim Rhea Gallery, Angela Burson from Dooing Art, Lee Doo-won from Mack Gallery, Jo Eun from Art Side Gallery, and MYQ from LeeGilee Nine Gallery also received great response, selling 7 pieces respectively.
One gallery representative participating in the solo booth explained, “As the first major art fair of the year, mid-priced work sales were brisk. The solo booth, where a single artist fully occupies the space, allowed galleries to clearly express their identity, demonstrating that the ‘artist-centered’ exhibition method could foster trust with collectors beyond the simple ‘1 artist 1 booth’ format.”
Amid uncertain economics, arts consumption is becoming more routine, particularly among the younger generation, as evidenced at this event. Art market experts say, “Rather than high-priced works, the market is reorganizing around mid to low-priced works. MZ generation’s influence as new collectors is breathing new life into the domestic art market,” adding that “this could act as a solidifying factor for future market growth.”
In particular, the way art fairs are consumed as a form of ‘cultural event’ and the increasing number of people who view and photograph them as part of their experience means that visitor numbers are not significantly affected by the economic recession.
The Korea Gallery Association has announced the ‘second act of the Art Fair’ following the event at Seoul COEX, with the ‘2025 Art Fair in Suwon’ set to take place on June 26 in Gyeonggi Province, Suwon.