TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — As Seoul continues to solidify its status as a premier hub for contemporary art in Asia, the third edition of the Art Ono international art fair is set to return from April 3 to 5 at the SETEC Exhibition Center, with an exclusive preview on April 2.
Derived from the phrase “Art One and Only,” Art Ono distinguishes itself by moving beyond the traditional sales-driven model. Instead, it aims to foster a multidimensional platform where commercial galleries and nonprofit institutions coexist, offering a more holistic view of the contemporary art ecosystem.
This year’s fair features 35 galleries and institutions from 12 countries, including art powerhouses such as Japan, Germany, and Switzerland.
A key highlight is the inclusion of regions rarely seen at Asian art fairs. Collectors will have the opportunity to explore contemporary works from Tanzania’s Rangi Gallery, Romania’s JECZA Gallery, and Finland’s Makasiini Contemporary, opening a unique window onto the artistic landscapes of Eastern Europe and Africa.
The fair also boasts a roster of internationally influential galleries. Nicolas Krupp of Basel will showcase early works by internet art pioneers Monica Studer and Christoph van den Berg. Misako and Rosen from Tokyo brings avant-garde conceptualism, while Korea’s legendary Gana Art presents a solo booth by Rikako Kawauchi, exploring the intersection of life energy and the senses.
In a significant structural shift, Art Ono integrates major nonprofit organizations such as the SongEun Art and Culture Foundation and the Jeonnam Museum of Art. SongEun will feature solo projects by Kim Jiseon and Ahn Jungju, focusing on spatial installations rooted in painting and media art practices.
The Jeonnam Museum of Art presents works by Gwon Seungchan that delve into geopolitical memory. This institutional innovation allows for a symbiotic relationship between market-driven galleries and academic curation.
Representing Taiwan as the sole participant, Artemin Gallery of Taipei presents a dialogue through four distinct artists. Wu Tung-lung’s (吳東龍) minimalist, hard-edged compositions evoke a state of indeterminacy, blending spiritual aesthetics with symbolic visual disruptions.
Sculptor Tseng Yen-yi (曾岩懌) uses his “Body Mountain Island” philosophy to transform the lines of the earth into human forms, radiating a sense of spiritual tranquility.
Crystal Lupa, a Central Saint Martins alumna, creates surreal, stage-like environments that explore psychological archetypes and self-healing across various media.
Rounding out the presentation is Paris-based artist Yuri Zupancic, who is renowned for his micro-paintings on silicon chips. Using a single eyelash as a brush, Zupancic transforms digital components into poetic vessels for memory, challenging the complexity of contemporary consumer culture.
Through a curated VIP program, professional conversations, and an immersive booth layout, the art fair seeks to highlight the interconnectedness of the global art community. By bridging the gap between commerce and institutional scholarship, the event aims to create a “One and Only” experience in the heart of Seoul.
