“Galleries come and go,” I overheard a visitor say. Here at Geomok Gallery, we see a testament to artistic commitment. It stands resilient amidst Seoul’s dynamic art scene.
Geomok Gallery first opened its doors in 2013. It began in Hannam-dong in central Seoul. Four years later, it relocated to Cheongdam-dong. This affluent neighborhood in southern Seoul attracts more collectors.
The gallery’s director, Chung Seung-jin, faced challenges. She thought about quitting in 2016 due to financial difficulties. After many trials, she found a successful direction.
In recent years, Geomok Gallery gained recognition. They introduced Korean artist Woo Hannah at No. 9 Cork Street in London. Woo’s fabric installation was inspired by women’s bodies and aging. It received positive feedback. The artist later won the Frieze Seoul Artist Award in September.
Chung believes it was good for Woo and the gallery to find each other. This created synergy.
When she was a newbie gallerist, Chung was excited. She wanted to exhibit works of artists she liked. She wanted to introduce them to an audience. She found presenting artists more meaningful than selling works.
One day, she realized the artists didn’t express gratitude. Chung then became determined to sell their work.
After moving to its current location, Geomok Gallery focused on emerging Korean artists. These include Woo Hannah, Hwang Sue-yon, and Choi Yoon-hee. Chung noticed that many galleries don’t support young artists. She wanted to provide a foothold for them.
Geomok Gallery participates in international art fairs. These include Frieze Seoul and NADA New York. They also attend Art 021 and the West Bund Art & Design fair in Shanghai. The gallery promotes artists abroad and seeks new collectors.
At the West Bund Art & Design fair, Hwang’s paper sculpture sold to a Chinese collector. It was Hwang’s first international art fair outside South Korea.
The gallery started the “Great Exhibition” program. Each year, they select a young Korean artist aged 25 to 35. They hold a solo exhibition for the selected artist. Installation artist Lee Hyun-woo was selected last year. His exhibition, “Parenthesis,” was held in June.
Geomok Gallery recently presented “Thick Skin.” This exhibition featured new paper sculptures and oil paintings by Hwang and Choi. It closed in December.
Looking ahead, the gallery is preparing for several exhibitions. This includes the “Great Exhibition” in April. They also plan a solo exhibition of Hwang Sue-yon during Frieze Seoul.
The director is considering international art fairs like Taipei Dangdai 2023. They want to find more collectors for Korean artists.
Since its opening in 2013, G Gallery has become a leading Korean contemporary gallery. It discovers talented young Korean and international artists. It presents a wide range of curated exhibitions.
Based on communication with artists and an interest in sculptural discovery, G Gallery organizes a unique program. The program introduces art from various fields. These fields include painting, video, and installation.
Since 2019, the gallery runs “Great Exhibition”. It fosters emerging artists in their 20s and 30s. One artist is selected each year for a solo exhibition. The gallery presents their work at art fairs. This provides young artists with a foundation for diverse connections.
Ultimately, Geomok Gallery aims to expand the base of art. They organize various projects and exhibitions with museums. This lowers the barrier between the public and art. The gallery strives to enhance the artistic value of various artists. They demonstrate the diversity of contemporary art. They do this through support for artistic production. They also do this through exploratory exhibitions.