New Delhi– The opening of the Korean Cultural Centre India’s exhibition booth at the India Art Fair 2025 was met with an enthusiastic turnout and was an important occasion for Korean fine art in India. Dr. Sanjeev Kishor Goutam of the National Gallery of Modern Art was present as the chief guest on the opening day. Dr. Goutam conducted discussions with the renowned Korean artist Kim Deok-han and personally appreciated the intricate lacquerworks displayed in the exhibitions.
As Korean culture continues to permeate the Indian audience, so does the rising interest in its fine and visual arts. The India Art Fair has since acknowledged this trend and with it a special invitation to KCCI, bringing Korean contemporary art into the fold of its 16th edition, beginning from February 6 to 9 at the NSIC Exhibition Ground, New Delhi.
The K-Art special exhibition booth of Korea, KCCI represents Korea in the institutional sector, showcasing an exquisite selection of works by three distinguished Korean artists—veteran Orientalist Kim Keun-joong; painter and paper artist Lee Gil-woo; and contemporary lacquer artist Kim Deok-han.
The exhibition represents a confluence of Korean heritage and modern artistic expression. Kim Keun-joong has provided a refreshing interpretation of traditional murals and Korean paintings with His Flower World series, which stands with a dichotomy of bold colours and meticulous detail to symbolize prosperity. Lee Gil-woo uses an incense-burning technique on hanji (traditional Korean paper), melding Eastern and Western cultural aspects in a provocative pop-art design. Meanwhile, Kim Deok-han’s lacquer works are all about enlarging the past as the layers are added painstakingly, invoking that very history and continuity.
In an interview with The World Times, Hwang Il Yong, Director of KCCI, says, “The Korean Wave that started with K-pop and dramas has now expanded into the domain of traditional culture, fine art, and visual arts. We are extremely delighted to partner with the India Art Fair team to bring the finest selections of Korean art to one of India’s largest art platforms. Very much appreciate the fair’s constant support and partnership.”
Marking its 16th year, this art fair stands one of the very largest in the world and attracts nearly 100,000 visitors daily. Additionally with its evocative fusion of tradition and contemporary aesthetics, the participation promised an immersive experience of Korean artistic heritage for the Indian audience, contributing further to the ongoing strengthening of cultural ties between the two countries.
