People participating in the “Gangnam Art Gallery Tour” (Photos courtesy of JunghyunHan, hongcomm.)

Seoul’s Gangnam-gu District, which literally means “south of the (Han) river,” became world-famous over a decade ago through Psy’s hit song “Gangnam Style.” In recent years, though, it has transformed into a burgeoning art hub. While Gangnam-gu has long been home to traditional Korean galleries and renowned international art spaces, the district began gaining serious global recognition in 2022, when the “Kiaf SEOUL” and London-based “Frieze Art Fair” held a joint event there. Since then, Gangnam has drawn attention from art professionals, artists and art aficionados from around the world every September, when “Kiaf, Frieze Seoul” takes place.

At present, Gangnam-gu is actively striving to cement itself as an art and culture hub. On May 24, the “Gangnam Art Gallery Tour” program, initiated by the Gangnam-gu Office, resumed after a three-year hiatus. Three or four galleries are chosen from among the 150 or so in the district for this bimonthly walking tour, which accommodates around 30 participants. The tour is immensely popular – and often becomes fully booked within 10 minutes of reservations opening up.

The “Gangnam Art Gallery Tour” Instagram account, which has up-to-date information about the program and how to reserve a spot on the tour (Photos courtesy of Gangnam-gu Office)

The Gangnam-gu Office initially launched the now hard-to-book art tour in 2021 as part of a cultural initiative to foster local art and stimulate the economy in collaboration with the district’s many galleries. Initially constrained by COVID-19 restrictions, early installments of the tour had a limit of 10 participants. As demand grew, the office adapted the program by adding a stamp tour, enabling unrestricted exploration of various galleries in Sinsa-dong, Apgujeong-dong and Cheongdam-dong. In 2022, the office also set up a promotional booth for Gangnam Art at “Kiaf, Frieze Seoul,” where it offered admission tickets and various items of merchandise for stamp tour participants. Additionally, the Gangnam-gu Office has organized “Cheongdam Night” events with local galleries. Further enriching Gangnam’s after-dark art scene, these comprise evening exhibitions and artist meet-and-greets.

The “Gangnam Art Gallery Tour” held on June 27 included visits to UARTSPACE, Tang Contemporary Art and Espace Louis Vuitton Seoul in Cheongdam-dong. At UARTSPACE, a group exhibition titled “A Seeping Sea” showcased the artists Kim Eun-ju, Kim Tai-kyun, Shin Min-joo, Yoon Sang-yeul, Lee Eun and Lee Ji-song, each of whom used different techniques to address “the sea” as a theme. Notably, artist Kim Eun-ju was on hand to talk about her works and chat with visitors.

Visitors viewing artwork at UARTSPACE while listening to a docent (Photos courtesy of JunghyunHan, hongcomm.)

Kim said, “To me, the sea is the body, and water is applause,” explaining, “I expressed the cheerful and appropriately lively waves of Busan’s dark blue sea with a pencil.” She added, “It’s always a pleasure as an artist to see many people taking an interest in art and learning about it. I hope more programs like this will be created to provide opportunities for everyone to enjoy art and culture and to create a space for artists and members of the public to communicate.”

Artist Kim Eun-ju explains her artwork. (Photos courtesy of JunghyunHan, hongcomm.)

Next on the tour was Tang Contemporary Art Seoul, one of Asia’s largest galleries. Tang Contemporary Art was first established in Bangkok in 1997 and later expanded to Beijing and Hong Kong. It prominently showcases works by Southeast and East Asian artists, including the esteemed figures Ai Weiwei, Yue Minjun and Chen Danqing. Currently on show is “My Realm - 2024 Yang Yong Solo Exhibition” by Chinese artist Yang Yong, who gained recognition in Korea through his participation in the 2002 Gwangju Biennale and through a special exhibition at the 2003 Venice Biennale.

Visitors view artwork at Tang Contemporary Art Seoul. (Photo courtesy of JunghyunHan, hongcomm.)

The final stop on the tour was Espace Louis Vuitton Seoul, which occupies the only building in Korea designed by architect Frank Gehry. Known for designing the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris, Gehry’s inspiration for the Seoul structure came from the “Dongnae Crane Dance” of Busan and Suwon’s Hwaseong Fortress. The gallery’s sixth exhibition, titled “Atterissage,” featured three pieces by American artist Sheila Hicks. On the tour, a professional docent provided insightful information about the artist and her creations.

Tour participant Choi Hyo-jung said, “I’ve been interested in art, but it’s not easy to visit several galleries in one day on my own. It was a pleasant experience because the gallery tour is free, and the quality is also very good.”

At Espace Louis Vuitton Seoul, a staff member discusses the “Gangnam Art program.” (Photo courtesy of JunghyunHan, hongcomm.)