Kiaf SEOUL 2026 is set to mark a major milestone as Korea’s leading contemporary art fair celebrates its 25th anniversary with a global line-up of 175 exhibitors from 18 countries. Returning to COEX in Seoul from September 2–6, 2026, the fair will once again coincide with Frieze Seoul, placing the Korean capital at the centre of the international art calendar.
Organised by the Galleries Association of Korea, Kiaf SEOUL enters its next chapter with a renewed creative direction. For the first time in its history, the fair has appointed an external creative director: acclaimed designer Kuho Jung, whose multidisciplinary practice spans fashion, performance, and exhibition design. Jung will oversee the fair’s visual identity, spatial experience, and special exhibition programmes, bringing a fresh perspective to one of Asia’s most influential art events.
Kiaf SEOUL and the Rise of Seoul Art Week
Beyond the fair itself, Kiaf SEOUL has become a key force behind Seoul Art Week, a city-wide celebration connecting museums, galleries, and cultural institutions across the capital. The programme brings together exhibitions and events at major venues including Leeum Museum of Art, Art Sonje Center, and Space K, while evening programmes activate Seoul’s leading gallery districts of Samcheong, Hannam, and Cheongdam.
The result is a week-long cultural moment that highlights Seoul’s growing influence as a global hub for contemporary art, attracting collectors, artists, and institutions from around the world.
A Global Gallery Line-Up Spanning Generations
The 2026 edition will feature a dynamic mix of established galleries and emerging voices from Korea and abroad. First-time participants include Nino Mier Gallery and JD Malat Gallery, joining returning Korean institutions such as Kukje Gallery, Gana Art, and Arario Gallery, alongside international galleries including Whitestone Gallery and Opera Gallery.
The fair’s presentation will bridge historic modern masters with contemporary practices. Visitors can expect significant works from across generations, including pieces from Lee Ufan’s “Wind” series, mixed-media works by Dansaekhwa pioneer Park Seobo at Wellside Gallery, and Nam June Paik’s Internet Dweller wol.five.ydpb (1994) at CMay Gallery.
The programme will also feature works by internationally recognised artists including Marc Chagall, Sol LeWitt, Keith Haring, and David Hockney, reflecting Kiaf SEOUL’s continued commitment to presenting a dialogue between Korean and global art histories.
Supporting Emerging Artists and Experimental Practices
The fair’s experimental section, Kiaf PLUS, will spotlight new artistic approaches through eight Korean galleries and 11 international participants from cities including Bangkok, Tokyo, New York, Moscow, Taipei, Madrid, and Osaka.
Meanwhile, Kiaf HIGHLIGHTS, launched in 2023 to support participating artists, returns in an expanded format with dedicated in-booth presentations designed to offer visitors a more focused encounter with individual practices. Ten artists will be selected through a jury process led by leading figures from the art world.
“Coexistence”: Exploring Art, Humanity, and Technology
The theme of Kiaf SEOUL 2026, “Coexistence,” explores the changing relationship between humanity and technology in an increasingly digital world.
Two special exhibitions will expand on this idea. “HUMAL” — a combination of the words “human” and “animal” — will bring together seven interdisciplinary artists investigating instinct, embodiment, and perception in the age of artificial intelligence.
A second project, titled “Invisible,” explores the intersection of art and augmented reality, allowing visitors to experience digital artworks through QR codes integrated throughout the fair.
With its anniversary edition, international presence, and expanded curatorial vision, Kiaf SEOUL 2026 is positioning itself not only as Korea’s premier art fair, but as one of Asia’s defining platforms for contemporary culture.