About Barakat Contemporary

Opened in 2016 in the center of Seoul, Barakat Contemporary is an exhibition space where visitors can appreciate and anticipate the contemporary art that must be taken note of worldwide today. Barakat Contemporary focuses on in-depth research and planning into the important topics in international society and contemporary art, presenting to the domestic and international audience artists who show a humanities-based perspective on the present era. The gallery supports the long-term growth of unique artists from various cultures, including Africa, America, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, and offers audiences an uncommon opportunity to explore the contemporary issues arising from the points of contact between each society and culture.

Barakat Contemporary is the only contemporary art branch of the Barakat Gallery, which features some 40,000 museum quality artifacts spanning various times and regions.

Looking ahead, Barakat Contemporary will continue to combine the ancient and modern to create a new future for contemporary art.

Barakat Contemporary Artists

Barakat Contemporary introduces the most significant international artists of diverse origins to Korea and international audiences, featuring the unique aesthetics and variety of experimental media present in their work. Among the artists showcased at Barakat Contemporary is Nigerian-based El Anatsui, whose sculptures are made by stringing together thousands of the metal bottle caps consumed in Nigeria. Wael Shawky, Shezad Dawood, Nicky Nodjoumi, and Hassan Hajjaj examine and reflect on the most pressing issues of our era. The work of international Korean artist Yunchul Kim, a recipient of the COLLIDE International award, focuses on the material world. Peles Empire experiments with historical and cultural hybrids in their work through the process of endless copying and repetition.