Korean Art Fair Access Bangkok Makes Historic Debut in Southeast Asia's Emerging Art Market
Jason Yim / Published December 19, 2024 09:39 PM
Jason Yim
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Access Bangkok Art Fair
From December 4 to 7, 2024, Bangkok hosted its first-ever international art fair, Access Bangkok, marking a significant milestone for the Southeast Asian art market. Organized by Art Meets Life (AML), the event showcased a distinctly Korean approach to art curation and fair management, solidifying Korea’s cultural influence in global art markets. With participation from 30 galleries across Asia, Access Bangkok opened new pathways for cultural exchange and market growth in a region ripe with potential.
AML’s co-directors, Lee Mi Rim and Cho Yoon Young, explained their choice of Bangkok as the inaugural location: “Thailand imposes tariffs of 17.7% to 27.7% on art transactions and has complicated customs procedures, deterring international art fairs. However, recent discussions in the Thai government about lowering or eliminating these taxes indicate a market ready for transformation.” This strategic entry also leveraged Thailand’s growing prominence in contemporary art, underscored by internationally renowned artists like Korakrit Arunanondchai and the country’s two major biennales.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Access Bangkok Art Fair
Held at ICONSIAM’s Pinnacle Hall, a venue offering sweeping views of the Chao Phraya River, the fair emphasized quality over scale. Unlike larger fairs like Korea International Art Fair (KIAF), Access Bangkok prioritized meaningful interactions with local collectors and art professionals. Among the 12 Korean galleries present were Cho Hyun Gallery, Gallery2, This Weekend Room, Gallery SoSo, and ERD, joined by nine Thai galleries, including Nova Contemporary and SAC, as well as participants from Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
VIP attendees included Thailand’s elite “Hi-So” community and international art figures, reflecting the fair’s aspirational vision. Notably, works by Korean artist Lee Bae, showcased by Cho Hyun Gallery, attracted strong interest from Thai collectors, with two pieces sold during the fair. Similarly, Seoul-based CDA Gallery sold four works on the opening day, while local galleries like Warin Lab Contemporary achieved multiple sales, affirming the fair’s commercial success.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Access Bangkok Art Fair
Access Bangkok also served as a cultural hub, offering curated programs and events. Bangkok CityCity Gallery collaborated with NORSE to create an art book lounge, while Hong Kong M+ Museum Vice-Chairman Alan Lau and prominent Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag led discussions on the intersection of culture and urban development. Additionally, Korean architect Yoo Hyun Joon delivered a lecture at Chulalongkorn University, and designer Yang Tae O hosted a talk on collecting at Kunsthalle Bangkok, highlighting Korea’s cultural “soft power.”
The event also showcased Korea’s technological leadership in the art market. ARTUE, an online art platform, introduced an AI-powered Online Viewing Room (OVR) system, providing users with real-time artwork information, global payment options, and certificates of authenticity. ARTUE CEO Song Bo Young emphasized the significance of adapting to Thailand’s digital payment landscape, where cash and credit cards are being supplanted by digital wallets. The OVR extended the fair’s reach, enabling online sales for two weeks after the physical event.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Access Bangkok Art Fair
From its imported gallery walls to its online platforms, Access Bangkok embodied the "Korea Standard," bringing a polished, international aesthetic to Bangkok’s art scene. Participating galleries praised the event’s professionalism and the opportunities it created for cross-cultural networking.
The significance of Access Bangkok extended beyond art sales. South Korea’s Ambassador to Thailand, Park Yong Min, remarked, “Bangkok, with its 30 million annual visitors, is an ideal platform for fostering cultural collaboration between Korea and Thailand. It’s inspiring to see art, alongside K-pop and dramas, representing Korea’s diverse cultural contributions.”
Positioned in the heart of Southeast Asia’s emerging art market, Access Bangkok aims to become a fixture in the international art calendar. With its unique blend of art, cuisine, and leisure, Bangkok offers a compelling destination for year-end art tours, setting the stage for Access Bangkok’s continued success.
Sayart / Jason Yim, yimjongho1969@gmail.com
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Access Bangkok Art Fair
From December 4 to 7, 2024, Bangkok hosted its first-ever international art fair, Access Bangkok, marking a significant milestone for the Southeast Asian art market. Organized by Art Meets Life (AML), the event showcased a distinctly Korean approach to art curation and fair management, solidifying Korea’s cultural influence in global art markets. With participation from 30 galleries across Asia, Access Bangkok opened new pathways for cultural exchange and market growth in a region ripe with potential.
AML’s co-directors, Lee Mi Rim and Cho Yoon Young, explained their choice of Bangkok as the inaugural location: “Thailand imposes tariffs of 17.7% to 27.7% on art transactions and has complicated customs procedures, deterring international art fairs. However, recent discussions in the Thai government about lowering or eliminating these taxes indicate a market ready for transformation.” This strategic entry also leveraged Thailand’s growing prominence in contemporary art, underscored by internationally renowned artists like Korakrit Arunanondchai and the country’s two major biennales.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Access Bangkok Art Fair
Held at ICONSIAM’s Pinnacle Hall, a venue offering sweeping views of the Chao Phraya River, the fair emphasized quality over scale. Unlike larger fairs like Korea International Art Fair (KIAF), Access Bangkok prioritized meaningful interactions with local collectors and art professionals. Among the 12 Korean galleries present were Cho Hyun Gallery, Gallery2, This Weekend Room, Gallery SoSo, and ERD, joined by nine Thai galleries, including Nova Contemporary and SAC, as well as participants from Malaysia, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
VIP attendees included Thailand’s elite “Hi-So” community and international art figures, reflecting the fair’s aspirational vision. Notably, works by Korean artist Lee Bae, showcased by Cho Hyun Gallery, attracted strong interest from Thai collectors, with two pieces sold during the fair. Similarly, Seoul-based CDA Gallery sold four works on the opening day, while local galleries like Warin Lab Contemporary achieved multiple sales, affirming the fair’s commercial success.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Access Bangkok Art Fair
Access Bangkok also served as a cultural hub, offering curated programs and events. Bangkok CityCity Gallery collaborated with NORSE to create an art book lounge, while Hong Kong M+ Museum Vice-Chairman Alan Lau and prominent Thai architect Duangrit Bunnag led discussions on the intersection of culture and urban development. Additionally, Korean architect Yoo Hyun Joon delivered a lecture at Chulalongkorn University, and designer Yang Tae O hosted a talk on collecting at Kunsthalle Bangkok, highlighting Korea’s cultural “soft power.”
The event also showcased Korea’s technological leadership in the art market. ARTUE, an online art platform, introduced an AI-powered Online Viewing Room (OVR) system, providing users with real-time artwork information, global payment options, and certificates of authenticity. ARTUE CEO Song Bo Young emphasized the significance of adapting to Thailand’s digital payment landscape, where cash and credit cards are being supplanted by digital wallets. The OVR extended the fair’s reach, enabling online sales for two weeks after the physical event.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Access Bangkok Art Fair
From its imported gallery walls to its online platforms, Access Bangkok embodied the "Korea Standard," bringing a polished, international aesthetic to Bangkok’s art scene. Participating galleries praised the event’s professionalism and the opportunities it created for cross-cultural networking.
The significance of Access Bangkok extended beyond art sales. South Korea’s Ambassador to Thailand, Park Yong Min, remarked, “Bangkok, with its 30 million annual visitors, is an ideal platform for fostering cultural collaboration between Korea and Thailand. It’s inspiring to see art, alongside K-pop and dramas, representing Korea’s diverse cultural contributions.”
Positioned in the heart of Southeast Asia’s emerging art market, Access Bangkok aims to become a fixture in the international art calendar. With its unique blend of art, cuisine, and leisure, Bangkok offers a compelling destination for year-end art tours, setting the stage for Access Bangkok’s continued success.
