Dalseung Hwang’s involvement in the art world has spanned several decades and roles. His initial interest in art, however, was simple, sparked from the feeling he had while gazing at paintings. “In a continuous search for that same vibrant inspiration, I then sought connections with the creators behind the artworks,” he recently shared with Whitewall. Through those conversations, he was urged to open his own gallery, which led him to establish Keumsan Gallery in 1992.
Today, Hwang is the president of the Galleries Association of Korea (GAoK), an organization founded in 1976 by five local galleries—including his own. In 2002, GAoK launched the Korea International Art Fair (Kiaf), and over 1,000 international galleries have participated since. Presently, he is the chairman of the fair’s Operating Committee. Whitewall spoke with Hwang about how he hopes to perpetuate a sustainable art ecosystem in Korea.
Portrait of Dalseung Hwang courtesy of Kiaf SEOUL.
WHITEWALL: GAoK was founded almost five decades ago. How has its ethos expanded throughout the years?
DALSEUNG HWANG: Throughout its decades-long history, GAoK has initiated and engaged in a wide range of activities to support the growth and revitalization of the Korean art market and the gallery ecosystem. Its two annual art fairs—Kiaf SEOUL and Galleries Art Fair—have long served as the platforms to showcase the latest trends in Korean art and to bring the world’s attention to Seoul as an art hub. We also run an art appraisal organization; host open seminars, trainings, and campaigns seeking to boost awareness about major issues in the art world; and provide grants to arts writers and critics.
In recent years, with the advent of the digital era and many market transitions, we’ve introduced new elements such as Kiaf PLUS, a sector at Kiaf dedicated to new media and digitally native works.
Kiaf SEOUL 2023, photos by Kiaf SEOUL Operating Committee, courtesy of Kiaf SEOUL.
“Throughout its decades-long history, GAoK has initiated and engaged in a wide range of activities to support the growth and revitalization of the Korean art market and the gallery ecosystem,”
Dalseung Hwang
WW: What is your role like today as the organization’s president?
DH: As the president of GAoK, I have also been serving as a mediator between GAoK members and the Korean government, and I have actively participated in national political discussions, advocating for measures to protect and enhance the overall quality of Korean art and the art market. Furthermore, following the introduction of the Art Payment System implemented this year, GAoK has taken the lead in advocating for policy improvements for the growth of the Korean art market, such as relaxation of the Cultural Property Protection Act and improvement of the tax system.
With the hope of bolstering the Asian art market and nurturing the connections between art markets across Asian countries, I have also engaged in meaningful dialogues with other gallery associations, such as those in Indonesia and Taiwan. This year I also intend to broaden and strengthen collaborations with more national institutions, to help further improving both the association and the art market.
WW: The organization has been instrumental in creating and supporting an arts ecosystem in South Korea. Under your direction, what decisions do you feel you’ve made that led to Seoul becoming a global art capital?
DH: One critical factor that I think has been essential in driving Seoul to a more highly international scale has been engaging and collaborating with more and more government officials and national institutions. In the last few editions of Kiaf, we have seen the growth of the support by institutions such as the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Arts Council Korea, and the Korea Arts Management Service, which has been a turning point towards the internationalization of the Korean art market.
Kiaf SEOUL 2023, photos by Kiaf SEOUL Operating Committee, courtesy of Kiaf SEOUL.
“This year I also intend to broaden and strengthen collaborations with more national institutions, to help further improving both the association and the art market,”
Dalseung Hwang
WW: One of GAoK’s leading initiatives was creating Kiaf, which is now 22 years old, and you’re the chairman of its operating committee. How would you describe the fair’s evolution to what we see today?
DH: Throughout its 20 years of history, the number of participating galleries at Kiaf has grown from less than a hundred to more than 200, promoting contemporary Korean art globally and becoming the go-to place for Korean collectors and art lovers to experience and discover international galleries and artists. Since 2022, our first year collaborating with Frieze, Kiaf has established itself as an internationally notable art fair and enhanced its operations and production to meet the international standards. In 2024, GAoK is committed to doubling its efforts to elevate them beyond the expectations of global art enthusiasts, through collaboration with exceptional galleries and artists, as well as through strengthened partnerships with government entities, local institutions, and public offices.
Kiaf SEOUL 2023, photos by Kiaf SEOUL Operating Committee, courtesy of Kiaf SEOUL.
