The third edition of Frieze Seoul takes place at COEX from September 4 – 7, 2024, once again under the direction of Patrick Lee. Featuring more than 110 galleries spanning 30 countries, this year’s fair features a strong core of exhibitors from across Asia region, with a particular emphasis on those with spaces in Korea. Frieze Seoul runs alongside Kiaf SEOUL, operated by the Galleries Association of Korea.
The fair has also unveiled an expanded programme of curatorial initiatives, including the introduction of Frieze Live, a new section for performance-based art, the second iteration of the Frieze Seoul Artist Award – for which an emerging talent will present a significant new commission at the fair – and a talks series. The fair’s acclaimed sections also return, with Frieze Masters showcasing historical art from Asia and around the world and Focus Asia bringing together the best emerging talents from the region.
Frieze Film, Frieze Music and collaborations with key non-profits take place in venues across Seoul during Frieze Week, which also sees late events at Seoul’s galleries and the opening of several major institutional shows in the city.
Director of Frieze Seoul Patrick Lee said: ‘We are very excited to host Frieze Seoul this September. We look forward to drawing diverse audiences to the fair and highlighting the wonderful presentations of the participating galleries. I am thankful for the continued governmental support, not only from the Seoul City Hall, but from Busan and Gwangju, as we explore deeper connections starting with collaborations this year with the biennales in those cities.’
Galleries
The fair’s Galleries section features more than 80 major art spaces from around the world with a core contingent of Asia-based exhibitors. Foundational Korean spaces include Arario Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, Johyun Gallery, Kukje Gallery and PKM Gallery. Asia’s wider contemporary practice is reflected by DAG (India), The Drawing Room (Philippines), Kiang Malingue (Hong Kong), Galerie Quynh (Vietnam), ROH (Indonesia) and Taka Ishii Gallery (Japan).
Key international players who return to the fair in 2024 include Canada, Sadie Coles HQ, Gagosian, Hauser & Wirth, High Art, Mariane Ibrahim, Karma, Lisson Gallery, Mendes Wood DM, Neugerriemschneider, Pace Gallery, Thaddaeus Ropac, Sprüth Magers, Michael Werner, White Cube and David Zwirner. More than 75% of exhibitors in Galleries have now participated in every edition of Frieze Seoul to date.
New participants include LA’s Bel Ami, Exit from Hong Kong; Prishtina- and Brussels-based LambdaLambdaLambda; LC Queisser from Tbilisi; Mind Set Art Center from Taipei; Proyectos Monclova in Mexico City; and sultana, based in Paris.
Frieze Masters
Following its very positive reception in the first two years of the fair, a dedicated Frieze Masters section returns to Frieze Seoul 2024, steered by Nathan Clements-Gillespie (Director, Frieze Masters). The section features galleries showing art throughout the ages: a unique contemporary perspective on thousands of years of art history, including collectible objects to significant Old Masters to the late 20th century.
This year, Frieze Masters sees a much-increased presence of galleries operating across the Asian region, including first-time participants Asia Art Center, DAG, Liang Gallery, Mizoe Art Gallery, Galerie du Monde and Gallery Shilla, participating alongside returning exhibitors Gana Art, Hakgojae Gallery and Tokyo Gallery + BTAP.
Additionally, Frieze Masters participants include dealers of 20th-century American works Castelli Gallery and ACA Galleries, manuscripts specialists Les Enluminures and Robilant+Voena, who focus on European practice ranging from Old Masters to Modern.
The Lubbock Hours (‘Use of Sarum’) with a Missal fragment, c.1400. Illuminated manuscript on parchment with 19 full-page miniatures. Courtesy: Les Enluminures
Focus Asia
Focus Asia, a dedicated section of the fair showcasing ten solo artist presentations from Asia-based galleries opened in or after 2012, is this year overseen for the second consecutive time by Joselina Cruz (Director and Curator, Museum of Contemporary Art and Design, Manila) and Hyejung Jang (Chief Curator, Doosan Art Center, Seoul).
Focus Asia is presented in collaboration with Stone Island, who provide subsidies that help enable young galleries’ participation in the fair, alongside Frieze’s existing support.
Exhibiting galleries and artists in Focus Asia:
- A-Lounge, Seoul – Hyori Cho
- Baik Art, Seoul, Jakarta – Kyungryul Park
- Barakat Contemporary, Seoul – Sojung Jun
- Blueprint 12, New Delhi – Kingsley Gunatillake
- Cylinder, Seoul – Jonghwan Lee
- G Gallery, Seoul – Hwang Sueyon
- Kayokoyuki, Tokyo – Evelyn Taocheng Wang
- Nova Contemporary, Bangkok – Supawich Weesapen
- Parcel, Tokyo – Lu Yang
- SAC Gallery, Bangkok – Taiki Sakpisit
Frieze Week Seoul
Frieze Week returns to Seoul in 2024 with a series of special events, artist-led activations and partner projects, expanding the scope of the fair across the city. A central part of this programme will see late-night openings in three of Seoul’s most important gallery districts:
- Hannam Night on Tuesday September 3
- Samcheong Night on Wednesday September 4
- Cheongdam Night on Thursday September 5
Major institutional exhibitions will open throughout the week: ‘Talking Bodies: Asian Women Artists’ at the MMCA Seoul; Elmgreen & Dragset at the Amorepacific Museum of Art; Do Ho Suh at Art Sonje Center; Leeum Museum’s two autumn shows, a solo by Anicka Yi and ‘Art Spectrum 2024’, curated by Rirkrit Tiravanija; the first solo exhibition in Korea of Nicolas Party at Hoam Museum of Art; and selections from the Pinault Collection at SongEun Art Space.
This year sees the return of LG OLED as Official Headline Partner of Frieze Seoul, continuing a collaboration that brings together the worlds of art and technology. The fair is also supported by Deutsche Bank, Frieze’s Global Lead Partner for over 20 years, continuing a shared commitment to artistic excellence.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Tickets to Frieze Seoul 2024 are released in June at frieze.com.
A dedicated online Frieze Viewing Room opens in the week before the fair, offering audiences a first look at the presentations and the ability to engage with the fair remotely.
For all the latest news from Frieze, sign up to the newsletter at frieze.com, and follow @friezeofficial on Instagram, X and Frieze Official on Facebook.
Main Image: Esther Schipper, Frieze Seoul 2023. Photo: Lets Studio. Courtesy: Lets Studio and Frieze