Frieze Seoul returned for its third year last week, coinciding with the bustling events of Seoul Fashion Week and Korea Blockchain Week, creating an extraordinary convergence of art, fashion, and technology. This synergy transformed the city into a vibrant hub of creativity and innovation, though it also meant navigating the increased traffic was part of the experience. Frieze Seoul offered a unique blend of contemporary and traditional art, providing an experience that captivated both art connoisseurs and casual visitors alike. Situated in the heart of Gangnam, this art fair has transformed the landscape of cultural events in Seoul, offering a dynamic and easily accessible venue that encourages exploration beyond the fairgrounds. After it was open to the public September 4—7, we’re sharing here highlights like Lee Bae at Johyun Gallery, Ugo Rondinone at Gladstone, and more.
The opening preview was abuzz with energy, as visitors navigated through an impressive array of booths and exhibits, a testament to the exceptional curation led by Frieze’s global team including Patrick Lee, Director of Frieze Seoul. “Frieze Seoul is a celebration of global creativity, offering a platform for artists and galleries to engage with a diverse and dynamic audience. Our goal is to foster meaningful connections between art, culture, and the people who experience it, making this year’s fair a truly unforgettable event,” said Minju Kweon, Head of VIP and Business Development, Frieze
From solo exhibitions to fascinating collaborations, the diverse range of presentations at galleries of all sizes ensures an engaging and immersive experience across the exhibition halls. Below, we’ve curated a list of must-see booths at Frieze Seoul that you did not want to miss at this year’s edition.
Lee Bae at Johyun Gallery
Lee Bae at Johyun Gallery at Frieze Seoul.
Johyun Gallery’s solo presentation of Lee Bae came closely after the successful exhibition of La Maison de la Lune Brûlée at this year’s Venice Biennale, a solo exhibition at the Wilmotte Foundation. Featuring a striking interplay between sculpture and painting, the centerpiece of the booth was an imposing bronze sculpture, standing nearly 3 meters tall and 2 meters wide, coated in a deep charcoal-black finish. The sculpture twisted and coiled into abstract, dynamic forms that appear frozen in a state of fluid movement, as though brushstrokes have leaped off the canvas and taken on three-dimensional form.
On the wall behind the sculpture, a series of ten large-scale paintings extended the concept into two dimensions. Each work featured bold brushstrokes, executed with a calligraphic fluidity that echoes the sweeping forms of the sculpture. The paintings were closely arranged, creating a rhythmic visual conversation across the wall. The interplay between positive and negative space in these works mirrored the tangible voids and solid forms within the sculpture, creating a harmonious connection between the two mediums.
Thaddaeus Ropac Shows Range
Thaddaeus Ropac’s booth at Frieze Seoul.
The Thaddaeus Ropac booth was a carefully curated presentation that highlights a diverse range of artistic voices. Jules de Balincourt’s striking piece, with its blend of abstraction and figuration, immediately captivates with bold colors and gestural strokes that intertwined political and social commentary with dreamlike imagery. Georg Baselitz’s iconic inverted figures made a visceral impact with rough textures and expressive brushwork, while Tony Cragg’s fluid, organic sculptures provided a fascinating contrast, transforming metal and stone into weightless, contemplative forms. Lee Bul, a leading figure in contemporary Korean art, added a futuristic yet emotional presence with sculptural works that explored themes of utopia and dystopia, merging industrial materials with organic shapes.
Oliver Beer’s conceptual approach, centered on sound and space, invited viewers to consider the unseen and unheard, while Robert Longo’s hyper-realistic charcoal drawings, capturing human figures and political imagery, brought emotional depth and precision to the booth. Donald Judd’s minimalist sculptures created a sense of calm and order, balancing the more expressive works on display. The booth also featured bold expressions from Daniel Richter and conceptual explorations by Mandy El-Sayegh, offering a visually and intellectually stimulating experience that made the Thaddaeus Ropac booth a must-see at this year’s fair.
Ugo Rondinone at Gladstone
Ugo Rondinone at Gladstone at Frieze Seoul.
At the Gladstone booth, Ugo Rondinone’s works made a powerful statement with their evocative interplay of materials and imagery. His painted bronze sculptures, which blur the lines between natural forms and artistic intervention, presented a surreal yet grounded presence within the booth. These sculptures, often depicting simplified and stylized forms of everyday objects or figures, are meticulously rendered in bronze and then painted with vibrant colors, offering a playful yet profound exploration of materiality and perception.
Rondinone’s canvases echoed this theme, featuring bold, simplified forms that resonate with his sculptural works. These pieces often employ circular, geometric motifs, infused with a sense of rhythm and meditation. The combination of organic shapes and radiant hues in both his canvases and sculptures creates a harmonious yet intriguing tension, inviting viewers to reflect on the relationship between art, nature, and human experience. The cohesive dialogue between Rondinone’s works at the booth exemplified his ability to transform ordinary elements into contemplative artistic experiences, making the Gladstone booth a highlight at the fair.
Yuichi Hirako at Gallery Baton
Yuichi Hirako at Gallery Baton at Frieze Seoul.
At the Gallery Baton booth, Yuichi Hirako’s installation captivated with its lush, fantastical exploration of the natural world. Known for his vibrant depictions of plant life and human figures intertwined with organic forms, Hirako’s work blurs the boundaries between the natural and human-made. His installation at Frieze transported viewers into a surreal environment where nature is both a peaceful refuge and an overwhelming force.
In this installation, Hirako’s vivid colors and detailed textures brought plants and trees to life, merging them with human forms in a way that challenges the viewer’s perception of identity and the environment.
The installation invited contemplation on themes of coexistence, the blending of cultures, and humanity’s relationship with nature. By combining painting, sculpture, and installation, Hirako created an immersive experience that is both visually striking and conceptually rich. Gallery Baton’s presentation of his work stood out for its ability to engage viewers on multiple sensory and intellectual levels, making it a memorable part of this year’s fair.
A Family Affair at LG
LG’s booth at Frieze Seoul.
LG returned to Frieze Seoul as its official headline partner for the second consecutive year. The exhibition “Suh Se Ok X LG OLED: Reimagined by Suh Do Ho, Shaped by Suh Eul Ho” showcased the innovative use of LG’s transparent OLED TVs to present works by Suh Se Ok, a trailblazer in Korean ink abstraction, alongside interpretations by his sons, artist Suh Do Ho and architect Suh Eul Ho. Architect Suh Eul Ho crafted the exhibition space to function as an integrated artwork, utilizing the transparent screens to offer expansive views. Visitors began their journey with a translucent installation leading into a captivating media art display, highlighted by animations from Suh Do Ho that revitalize his father’s paintings.
This immersive experience was enhanced by eight transparent LG OLED TVs and OLED evo TVs, creating a striking three-dimensional visual feast. A media wall at the exhibition’s rear featured 24 OLED signage displays showcasing Suh Se Ok’s creative process, complemented by seven of his original works, including the celebrated Joyful Rain (1976) and Wayfarer (1978).
LG’s booth at Frieze Seoul.
