Sayart.net
Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
Sohn, Kyong-LAN - Representative of Khalifa gallery
2011 Hong Kong, Asia Contemporary Art Show, Korea Representative
2011~2014 home table Deco fair_gallery pavillion_Seoul, Coex, planner
2016~2017 Singapore Contemporary Art Show, Korea Representative
2022 Daejeon MBC Art & Media Western Painting Division, Steering Committee
Sohn:
I worked as a commissioner in Hong Kong and Singapore for a while. At that time, I guided the Korean galleries that wanted to enter there, the direction of the works that the locals liked. Additionally, I provided a variety of roles and assistance to help them advance there.
Sohn:
There seem to be many Korean commissioners who are better than me these days. Currently, Korean galleries are showing much more advanced publicity skills through overseas experience. I was able to see Korean galleries showing great abilities in Taiwan.
Maria:
Hello. Sayart readers!
Please, A brief greeting to our readers.
Sohn:
Hello. I'm Sohn, Kyong-Lan working at Khalifa gallery
Maria:
I heard that you have been walking the same path since 2011.
Please briefly introduce yourself
Sohn:
I was the commissioner for Korea at the Hong Kong Asian Contemporary Art Show and Singapore Contemporary Art Show. And I have been planning gallery exhibitions since 2011.
Maria:
Could you explain what the commissioner's role is?
Sohn:
For example, when Korean artists are preparing for an overseas art fair for the first time, they often experience difficulties due to lack of information. I can give these artists various information about the art fairs they participate in and even help them to participate in events.
I also help them select entries. I am well aware of what collectors in Hong Kong and Singapore like. So I can provide good information to Korean artists to succeed in the art fair.
Maria:
I think that your role of introducing Korean galleries abroad is similar to what SayArt.net does.
Sohn:
In the past, young galleries knew little about how to enter overseas markets. But recently, I think there are many galleries with more know-how than I do.
Also, in the meantime, Korean galleries that have experienced overseas art fairs in the past are making great achievements at the Taipei Art Fair.
They are doing great in Taiwan because many Korean galleries have learned how to promote themselves abroad.
Recently, the frieze was held in Korea, drawing attention from the world art world. However, in the past, Hong Kong's Basel and its art markets were the biggest markets in Asia.
Leading overseas galleries has entered the Hong Kong art market. I worked as a commissioner when the Hong Kong market was booming. I feel proud that I was able to introduce a lot of Korean artists to Hong Kong.
Maria:
What artists are you working with at the Khalifa Gallery?
Sohn:
I am trying to promote Lee Young Ha, our gallery's exclusive artist, overseas. I have already sold Lee’s many works.
All sold out. Korean artists are very good at technique.
The works of Korean artists are also labor-intensive. And I held an exhibition with artists Oh Young and Lee Geunhwa, and it was a good result.
Hong Kong is a place of cultural diversity. So, when we exhibited in Hong Kong, famous European collectors bought a lot of Korean work. In addition, Lee Youngha's works were purchased by the top 100 Asian collectors in Singapore, so it had a great meaning.
When Lee Young Ha entered Miami, Lee's three large pieces were hung on the front of the exhibition hall. However, as soon as the exhibition started, all of Lee’s work was sold, which was surprising.
Maria:
I think that the collector base of the art market has become very young and diverse. What do you think of these changes in the art market?
The art market has stalled due to Covid-19 and the Hong Kong crisis, but Recently, the art market is changing rapidly in many ways.
Trends have changed a lot, and the younger generation, called new collectors, has excellent information. This means that the market is changing rapidly.
On the other hand, inexperienced artists seem to be concentrating only on selling their works without understanding this market situation, so I often feel sorry for them.
When Frieze first landed in Korea, artists and many people in the art world said, “Frieze will eat the Korean market,” “Kiaf will die because of Frieze.”
I don't think foreign artists are superior to Korean artists in every aspect of art.
This is because Korean artists have received sufficient art education both at home and abroad, and they have created their own art world and the competitiveness amid fierce competition.
I think Korean artists are not at all behind foreign artists. Also, I believe that the Korean art fair will reach the frieze level in a few years.
Maria:
I think what you are doing now is very important.
I heard that before you introduced a Korean artist abroad, you first held an exhibition of that artist at the Kelifa Gallery.
That's what the current exhibition is, isn't it? If so, please briefly introduce Chung Sanggon.
Sohn:
Jung is always doing his job consistently and steadily. The title of his exhibition this time is also “A Meager Scenery,” and I think it suits him well.
Jung's works are trivial and insignificant landscapes, but they are interpretations of what he saw with his own eyes in his own way.
Maria:
The exhibition continues through November 9th.
Last question. I heard you plan to open an exhibition in Abu Dhabi. Please let me know about it.
Sohn:
Preparations for this Abu Dhabi Art Fair started in 2018. I plan to exhibit the works of Lee Young Ha and Choi Jeongyun. We are scheduled to depart on November 10th. The exhibition will run for about a week. it is said that the princesses come on Mondays and the princes come on Tuesdays due to the nature of the country.
I am sure that Choi Jeongyun's work philosophy and color will do well in Abu Dhabi. Also, I think that Lee Young Ha will do as good as the previous overseas exhibitions.
Maria:
I hope that you will continue to do your best to promote Korean artists and the Korean art market abroad. Thank you for agreeing to the interview.
