Seoul Travel Journal: Kukje Gallery, a Must-Visit for Art Enthusiasts
Kukje Gallery K1 with a view of American sculptor Jonathan Borofsky’s “Walking Woman on the Roof” on the roof of the building. Photo by Yong-Kwan. Courtesy Kukje Gallery, Seoul
A must visit for contemporary art lovers
Founded by Hyun-Sook Lee, Kukje Gallery is one of the most influential art galleries in South Korea. Hyun-Sook Lee began as an art dealer and collector before setting up the Kukje Gallery to introduce Western artists to Korea. “Kukje” means “international” in Korean. The Gallery’s missions have since expanded to showcasing Korean artists to the world, and cultural and art education.
Reading: An interview with Kukje Gallery’s founder and chairwoman, Hyun-Sook Lee by Art Basel
Kukje Gallery has two locations: in Seoul and Busan. During my short trip to Seoul in 2024, I managed to visit this gallery despite the bad weather. It is located in the K2 building, Sogyeok-dong, a neighborhood that is rich with historical and cultural context due to its close proximity to the palaces and the traditional Bukchon neighborhood.
Kukje Gallery is well known for showcasing works by world-renowned artists, such as Alexander Calder, Anish Kapoor, and Jenny Holzer, as well as introducing important Korean artists to the global art world.
The Gallery is made up of 4 buildings, 1 of which is a traditional Hanok building that are preserved and repurposed for exhibitions and events. Each of the other 3 buildings are labelled: K1, K2 and K3.
오호 애재라 시리즈 / 악의 꽃 012408 (Sorrow Series / Les Fleurs du Mal 012408) by Kyungah Ham. Exhibition view of Phantom and A Map 유령 그리고 지도 at Kukje Gallery, Seoul.
Phantom and A Map by Kyungah Ham
During my visit, the ongoing exhibition was one by Korean artist Kyungah Ham.
I did not know much about her until this visit. At first glance, the works look like large abstract paintings in vibrant colours that are somehow very Korean: a lot of golds, pinks, yellows, and blues against a white background.
Upon closer look, I realized these are all embroidery, and thus, they are three-dimensional. Besides the bursts of colour, the embroidery also creates different reliefs on the canvas, adding additional layers to the viewing experience of each work.
Also, the works are visually beautiful, but perhaps this is beside the point. An excerpt from the exhibition website about the artist’s practice:
“A core term embodying Ham’s practice, “phantom” signifies all the invisible cues and connections that power society and constitute the illusion of culture”
오호 애재라 시리즈 032408 (Sorrow Series 032408) by Kyungah Ham.
Detail view of 오호 애재라 시리즈 032408 (Sorrow Series 032408) by Kyungah Ham.
Hanok as Exhibition Space
The exhibition takes up 3 buildings: K1, K3, and Hanok. Viewing the artworks in the Hanok is an interesting experience. The interior of the Hanok is preserved: the low ceiling, wooden beams, wooden floors, and windows are all traditional. These large, brightly colored embroidery pieces on white canvasses stand out and feel bigger than they are due to the spatial qualities of the Hanok.
After reading the ideas behind the works and how they relate to how culture is perceived within different societies, having them displayed in the Hanok seems to hold additional meaning. The visual contrast is also something to note. Overall I enjoyed this gallery the most out of the other 3 buildings as it felt the most meaningful and immersive.
오호 애재라 시리즈 012408 (Sorrow Series 012408) by Kyungah Ham.
Exploring the connection between, body, mind, and visual arts.
For those interested in wellness, Kukje Gallery might be an interesting destination. Housed in the K1 building is Wellness K, a space that is designed and curated specifically to provide a full mind and body wellness journey, with the view of the palace, gardens, and key modern artworks as a backdrop. The space includes state-of-the-art gym, rooms for group and 1:1 classes and consultations, and a medical concept store. Visitors to Wellness K can complete their wellness journey with a meal at The Restaurant on the second floor of the K1 building.
I think this concept opens up the Gallery to visitors beyond the art world (art collectors, educators, and the general public who love art) while simultaneously broadening the public’s definition and understanding of art, which is aligned with the Gallery’s ethos. And judging from the photos on the website, the interior design is beautiful so you don’t have to be an art lover to be able to appreciate it.