Kiaf Seoul 2026 Highlights the City’s Upcoming Artists and Established Galleries

South Korea’s largest international art fair, Kiaf Seoul, returns to Coex this September for its 25th edition, bringing together 175 galleries from 18 countries.  

This edition arrives at a notable moment for Seoul’s art scene, which has undergone a rapid transformation during the post-pandemic years as international galleries, collectors and institutions increasingly turn their attention to the Korean capital. 

Organised by the Galleries Association of Korea, which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the fair remains closely connected to the development of the country’s gallery ecosystem. Representing one-fifth of Korea’s galleries, the association has played an important role in fostering both the domestic market and international exchange, including collaborations with global partners such as Expo Chicago. As Seoul has emerged as one of Asia’s key art destinations, Kiaf has evolved alongside it, serving as both a marketplace and a meeting point for local and international art communities. 

That history is reflected in this year’s exhibitor list. Leading Korean galleries including Gallery Hyundai—one of the founding members of the association in 1976—alongside Arario Gallery and Hakgojae offer a snapshot of the diverse artistic positions that have shaped both Korea’s art history and its contemporary scene. They will be joined by international participants such as Whitestone Gallery and Kornfeld Galerie. 

“Kiaf Highlights offers visitors an opportunity to spend more time with individual artistic practices”

The 2026 edition also introduces a new approach to the visitor experience. For the first time, Kiaf Seoul has appointed an external creative director to oversee its visual identity and exhibition design. Kuho Jung, whose practice spans fashion, theatre and performance, will reimagine the fair’s layout, creating a more intuitive journey through the exhibition halls and encouraging visitors to engage with the fair as a spatial experience. 

Among the fair’s special initiatives, Kiaf Highlights returns with a curated selection of 10 artists chosen through nominations from both participating galleries and review by a professional jury. This year’s semi-finalists have developed diverse visual languages and approaches within the key discourses of contemporary art. Presented through dedicated exhibition spaces, the programme offers visitors an opportunity to spend more time with individual artistic practices amid the density of the fair environment. 

The fair’s commitment to emerging voices is also evident in Kiaf Plus, which brings together 19 younger galleries and experimental programmes from Korea and abroad, including Gallery Hesed (Seoul), Arma Gallery (Madrid), and Mizusai (Tokyo). 

Beyond the fair itself, Kiaf continues to play an active role in Seoul’s wider September art season through conversations and collaborative programmes with partners including Frieze Seoul. Neighbourhood Nights—spanning Hannam, Samcheong and Cheongdam—extend the fairs into the city’s gallery districts, offering evening routes through exhibitions, openings and informal gatherings that connect local and international audiences. This expanded cultural infrastructure reflects broader public and private investment in positioning Seoul as a major regional art hub, with policy support and urban cultural planning contributing to the city’s growing international visibility. —[O]

Kiaf Seoul (2–5 September) at Coex Convention and Exhibition Centre

Main image: Photo: Kiaf SEOUL 2025. Courtesy of Galleries Association of Korea ⓒ Creative Resource 사진 제공: 한국화랑협회 ⓒ Creative Resource.