The international art fair Frieze New York kicked off on May 8 (local time) with a preview at The Shed in Manhattan, New York. Pictured is Jeff Koons’s Hulk sculpture on display at the Gagosian booth.
NEW YORK, May 10 (Korea Bizwire) — Korean artists and galleries made a striking showing at the 2025 edition of Frieze New York, one of the world’s leading contemporary art fairs, which opened its doors for a preview on May 8 at The Shed in Manhattan.
This year’s event gathered 65 prominent galleries from around the globe, showcasing a wide spectrum of contemporary artworks that drew the attention of collectors and art enthusiasts alike. Among the highlights was mega-gallery Gagosian’s display of three towering sculptures from Jeff Koons’s Hulk series, installed at the entrance of the venue.
Koons, known globally for his Balloon Dog series, set a record for the most expensive artwork sold at auction by a living artist in 2019 when his Rabbit sculpture fetched $91.1 million.
Positioned next to Gagosian’s booth, Seoul-based Gallery Hyundai curated a solo presentation of Moon Kyung-won’s Soft Curtain series. Another leading Korean institution, Kukje Gallery, exhibited a range of works by renowned artists Yang Hae-gue and Kang Seo-kyeong, drawing strong interest from fairgoers.
The international art fair Frieze New York opened on May 8 (local time) with a preview at The Shed in Manhattan, New York. Pictured is tour curator Brian Munguia explaining artist Moon Kyung-won’s work at the Gallery Hyundai booth.
Tina Kim Gallery, a New York-based space specializing in Korean contemporary art, presented a poignant mix of fiber works by veteran artist Lee Sinha and pieces by the late Kang Seo-kyeong, who passed away in April. The booth stood as a quiet tribute and drew sustained engagement from visitors.
Emerging Korean talent also had a moment in the spotlight. Ji Gallery introduced installation works by 30-year-old artist Song Ye-hwan, while London-based Carlos/Ishikawa featured pieces by 29-year-old Lee Mok-ha, underscoring the next generation’s growing international visibility.
“New York is the epicenter of the global art market, and Korea has firmly claimed its place within it,” said Brian Munguia, tour curator for Frieze. “Compared to last year, the presence of Korean art is notably larger and more influential.”
The international art fair Frieze New York opened on May 8 (local time) with a preview at The Shed in Manhattan, New York. Pictured is the exhibition space showcasing a pop art collaboration between popular American artist Steven Harrington and LG Electronics.
South Korean corporations, too, seized the art fair as a marketing platform. LG Electronics, a global partner of Frieze since 2021, collaborated this year with popular American artist Steven Harrington — known for designing the official logo for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. LG showcased his pop art visuals on its cutting-edge 97-inch OLED display, blurring the lines between traditional painting and digital media.
“I come from a generation that starts with a pencil sketch on paper,” Harrington remarked at the exhibition. “Blending painting with digital technology is both a novel and fascinating experience.”
As Frieze New York continues to serve as a critical intersection of culture and commerce, Korea’s expanding footprint — from veteran masters to digital collaborations — affirms its growing influence on the world art stage.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
