The first Korean art fair to venture overseas, ‘Access Bangkok,’ was held from December 5 to 7 at ICONSIAM in Bangkok, Thailand, garnering significant attention. 

As part of the "Support for Overseas Hosting of Domestic Art Fairs" program by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Arts Management Service, Access Bangkok was organized by Art Meets Life (AML), a private Korean exhibition company. AML has previously gained recognition for its innovative art fairs, such as The Preview Seongsu and Busan Connected, as well as exhibitions aimed at discovering emerging artists. 

For Access Bangkok, AML transported temporary walls used at Korea's leading art fair, Kiaf, via sea freight and dispatched specialized installation personnel to Bangkok, ensuring the event adhered to Korean standards.

The fair featured a total of 30 galleries, including 12 from Korea, such as Johyun Gallery, Gallery2, ThisWeekendRoom, and BAIK ART, alongside nine local galleries from Thailand, including Nova Contemporary and SAC Gallery.

Johyun Gallery presented works by renowned figures in Korean contemporary art, such as Lee Bae, Jung Kwang Ho, Lee Kwang Ho, and Kang Kang Hoon, as well as pieces by other internationally recognized artists. BAIK ART showcased a lineup spanning generations, from Sung Neung Kyung to younger Korean talents like Chu Mirim. ThisWeekendRoom introduced Jihee Kim, Jiwon Choi, and Seongjoon Hong, artists who continue to draw attention in the Asian art market.

Additionally, Bangkok CityCity Gallery, known for curating small-scale art fairs, stood out by creating a special space for the exchange of creative ideas, moving beyond the traditional focus on art sales.

In recent years, Thai artists have gained increasing prominence on the global art stage. However, Bangkok's art market has struggled to thrive due to high tariffs and complex customs procedures. This year, however, the Thai government has begun implementing soft power policies, discussing measures to reduce tax burdens on art transactions. As a result, the doors to Thailand’s art market are starting to open. 

Regarding Access Bangkok, AML stated, “As the first case of a Korean art fair expanding overseas, it is expected to serve as a significant milestone in fostering artistic exchanges between Korea and Thailand and pioneering new markets.” With Access Bangkok as a starting point, anticipation is growing for the impact Korean art fairs might have in Thailand and other international art markets.

References

• 액세스 방콕 (Access Bangkok)
• 연합뉴스, "한국 아트페어 해외 첫 진출"…태국서 4∼7일 '액세스 방콕', 2024.12.03
• 디자인하우스, 해외로 진출한 국내 최초의 아트페어, 액세스 방콕, 2024.12.04 

Ji Yeon Lee has been working as an editor for the media art and culture channel AliceOn since 2021 and worked as an exhibition coordinator at samuso (now Space for Contemporary Art) from 2021 to 2023.