After Expo Chicago was acquired by Frieze, Kiaf Seoul, Expo Chicago collaborate for the first time
Some 20 home-grown galleries in South Korea will participate in Expo Chicago 2025 next month as part of the partnership between the two fairs, Kiaf Seoul and Expo Chicago.
The art fair’s partnership with Kiaf Seoul, run by the Galleries Association of Korea, was established after Expo Chicago was acquired in 2023 by Frieze. The global platform for modern and contemporary art has operated Frieze Seoul since 2022 and collaborates with Kiaf Seoul every year to run the art fairs in September.
The 12th edition of Expo Chicago will be held from April 24 to 27 at Navy Pier’s Festival Hall, joined by more than 170 galleries from 36 countries and 93 cities, according to the organizer.
Korea’s 20 galleries will bring together 300 artworks by 90 artists, 80 percent of which are Korean artists. The funding to participate in the fair is partly supported by the Korea Arts Management Service, according to the Galleries Association of Korea.
On April 26, the “Dialogue Stage” talk program will be led by Patrick Lee, director of Frieze Seoul. The panels include Lee Seol-hui, co-curator of the Korean Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale, and Jiseon Lee Isbara, president at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Participating Korean galleries include Gana Art, Gallery Joeun, Gallery Baton, One And J. Gallery, Keumsan Gallery and Bhak.
Meanwhile, the members of the Galleries Association of Korea newly elected Lee Sung-hoon, director of Sun Gallery, as the president of the association in February succeeding Hwang Dal-sung who served the position for four years. The president’s term is two years with two consecutive terms allowed.
yunapark@heraldcorp.com
