Art Busan 2025 (Image courtesy of Busan)
BUSAN, May 12 (Korea Bizwire) — Art Busan 2025 concluded its four-day run on Sunday, drawing more than 60,000 visitors, including collectors, institutional buyers, and art enthusiasts, according to organizers. Now in its 14th year, the international art fair opened with a VIP preview on May 8 and featured 109 galleries from 17 countries.
Despite headwinds from the global economic slowdown and a sluggish art market, participating galleries reported encouraging sales. Major Korean dealers, including Kukje Gallery, Gallery Hyundai, and Arario Gallery, showcased top-tier artists and reported strong performance.
Kukje sold works by Kim Yoon-shin and a new piece by Lotus Kang, while Gallery Hyundai sold out all 12 pieces by Kim Bo-hee. Arario sold more than 30 works, including pieces by Kohei Nawa and Kwon Oh-sang.
Mid-sized and smaller galleries also fared well. Gallery Myeong, for example, reported sales of works by artists including Koo Ja-seung and Bae Jun-sung, signaling resilient interest across various collector segments.
This year’s edition was praised for its refined gallery lineup and bold curatorial programming, which further elevated Art Busan’s profile as a major platform in the East Asian contemporary art scene.
Participating international galleries included Tang Contemporary Art, Whitestone Gallery, and Esther Schipper, reflecting growing global interest in the Korean art market.
Organizers say the fair’s success affirms Busan’s role as a cultural hub and underscores the city’s rising stature in the global art calendar.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
