Lee is uniquely well placed to take advantage of the buzz surrounding Seoul since the arrival of Frieze art fair and the attendant suite of blue-chip galleries. Kukje, the gallery she founded in 1982 under the Korean word for ‘international’, long ago established itself as a dominant player in a city now being touted as a hub for galleries seeking a base in Asia. Her track record as a bridge between domestic and international art scenes is remarkable – not only did Lee introduce a number of historically significant artists to Korean audiences, she has also been instrumental to the careers of artists including Haegue Yang (who won this year’s Benesse Prize) and helped to establish the reputation of Dansaekhwa as a movement. The programme at her two spaces in Seoul and outpost in Busan continues to mix Korean and international artists, with shows this year by Ha Chong-Hyun, Louise Bourgeois, and Sungsic Moon.
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Power 100
Most influential people in 2022 in the contemporary artworld
75

Hyun-Sook Lee
Gallerist - Founder and chairwoman of Kukje Gallery in Seoul
75 in 2022
- 202275
- 202179
- 202083
- 201960
- 201868
- 201779
- 201677
- 201582
- 2014
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- 2012
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- 2005

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