Javier Peres
Founder, Peres Projects
Javier Peres
What makes Seoul an art city?
Seoul is an incredible mega city with a large population—it’s larger than NYC—which makes it a city of endless possibilities and potential. The city has an array of cultural institutions presenting artworks from different periods, regions, etc., and is further enhanced by a number of leading Korean galleries. Most recently a number of international galleries have also opened branches here which has further enhanced the cultural offerings. The city has a robust art market which is comprised of a broad range of collectors as well as collecting private and public institutions. The city’s art press is also incredibly active and supportive of contemporary art.
What does your gallery do that’s unique in the Seoul gallery scene, and the international one?
Peres Projects has always focused on identifying, supporting, and championing artists that we felt could expand the canon of art history, irrespective of where they came from. The identity of the gallery, and what I think is special to our DNA, is that we primarily focus on showing artists at the beginning of their careers, giving audiences an early look at the artists that will shape art history, both in the immediate time and the future. Our ethos of discovering artists early in their careers has been one of our important advantages from the start, this has allowed us to showcase important artists from all parts of the world and share their visions as their careers develop. This continues to be the driving force for our growth and is very much a part of who we are as a gallery, but we have never limited ourselves in this way and having multiple locations working together allows us to further advance our way of working.
What was Peres Projects’ motivation to open up in Seoul?
We are very interested in the Korean art scene, both the important historic artists and also the new generation of artists who we have been following with great interest. For us, it was a natural expansion to open in Seoul because we have a great deal of clients in the region. We had been thinking of opening here for several years in order to be closer to our clients on a prolonged and continued basis but of course, the pandemic delayed things a bit. Having a location in Korea for us is advantageous because we would like to have a long-term presence here and we see Seoul as having the possibility of becoming our primary base in Asia the way Berlin became our base in Europe.
With KIAF and now Frieze, do you think Seoul is becoming an (the?) art market hub of Asia?
We anticipate that Frieze will have a great impact. When a new art fair, or other cultural institutions, comes to a city it’s often a great thing for that city and the art scene there. Look at what happened with Miami Beach and Hong Kong with Art Basel or Bilbao with the Guggenheim. Seoul is a bit different from that of course because the city already has a very established fair, KIAF Seoul, so we anticipate that the additional attention coming from another international fair will result in a great deal of new possibilities for the Korean art scene.
Is Seoul a global art power player? Why/not/when will it be?
We see Seoul as a major player in the global art scene for us. It’s one of the regions in Asia that has become a major focus for us and we are planning exhibitions for many years to come and also organizing institutional exhibitions well into the future as well. What makes it such an important city for us is that it has a strong art market with many layers and an openness to contemporary art that for us creates an ideal climate for long-term growth for our program.
Peres Projects’ Inaugural Seoul group exhibition this past spring
What is unique about Seoul’s art gallery ecosystem?
Seoul is home to some incredible galleries that have nurtured and supported Korean artists for decades while also showcasing international artists. In the past, we have collaborated with some of those incredible galleries, like PKM Gallery, Leeahn Gallery, Johyun Gallery, which has resulted in our artists gaining greater appreciation in Korea. Something that’s very special about the galleries here is that they are often founded by very keen and active collectors who appreciate quality and come from the perspective of collection building. Since the gallery’s grow from the collecting activities of their founders they give a great deal of support and confidence to the art market participants here.
What do collectors in Seoul want? Are tastes divided into Korean v Int’l or modern v contemporary? Curious to hear a bit about this.
Collectors here want the best works and they are very open to discovery. They appreciate learning and receiving a lot of information. Our gallery’s main focus is in presenting interesting artists that we believe have the potential to develop into historical artists. We provide a lot of information and context to our clients. Our exhibitions in Seoul sell primarily to collectors in Seoul but also from other major art centers in Korea like Busan and Daegu. Since our focus is the primary market of contemporary art, that’s the main component of our business here but we also do some secondary market of contemporary art. We don’t currently represent any contemporary Korean artists but this will be changing later this year when we introduce the work of a young Korean artist who will have their debut with us in Europe next year.
We do know from our colleagues here that there is a great deal of interest in modern art as well, both Korean and international.
What does the scene here need more of and less of?
The main thing that this scene needs more of, and it’s something that we think is needed pretty much in all the major art cities, are more institutions, both public and private, that focus on showing contemporary art. Institutional exhibitions supported by strong curatorial practices and critical writing are a vital component to the art ecosystem and is something that can add a great deal of support to the development of artists and the art market. The institutions that are already here are doing a fantastic job, and if there were more, it would further strengthen the city’s role as a leading global art center.
