Frieze Seoul Focus 2026: Curator Seolhui Lee on Constellations of Artistic Voices
Seolhui Lee, a well-known curator, took charge of the 2026 Focus section at Frieze Seoul. This year, the event underwent a notable transformation, featuring galleries from Asia, Europe, and the Americas, expanding beyond its typical regional scope. It showcases sixteen solo exhibits from galleries established in or after 2014. Lee emphasizes that these displays are not just isolated booths but are meant to create conversations across different media, generations, and cultures. She points out the diverse styles of artists like Gabriel Massan and Yehudi Hollander-Pappi from São Paulo, as well as Omyo Cho and Foundry Seoul. Various works also explore archival themes, while others highlight material-focused practices. Lee believes this section represents a rich array of distinct voices that complement each other.
Key facts
- Seolhui Lee advised the 2026 Focus section at Frieze Seoul.
- Focus section includes sixteen solo presentations by galleries established in or after 2014.
- For the first time, Focus expands beyond its regional framework to include galleries from Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
- Lee highlights presentations by Gabriel Massan with Yehudi Hollander-Pappi and Omyo Cho with Foundry Seoul.
- Massan's work combines digital environments, gaming aesthetics, and storytelling.
- Cho's installations involve subtle encounters between objects, materials, and spatial perception.
- Archival thinking is noted in works by Yongjae Lee with Caption and Lilyjon with Cub_ism_ Artspace.
- Materially driven practices by Seungean Cha with Pipe Gallery and Ayla Tavares with Lamb are also highlighted.
- Intimate-scale works by Botond Keresztesi with Longtermhandstand and Bekhbaatar Enkhtur with Matèria are praised.
- Lee views the Focus section as a constellation of artistic voices.
Entities
Artists
- Seolhui Lee
- Gabriel Massan
- Yehudi Hollander-Pappi
- Omyo Cho
- Yongjae Lee
- Lilyjon
- Seungean Cha
- Ayla Tavares
- Botond Keresztesi
- Bekhbaatar Enkhtur
Institutions
- Frieze Seoul
- Matèria
- MAĀT
- Foundry Seoul
- Caption
- Cub_ism_ Artspace
- Pipe Gallery
- Lamb
- Longtermhandstand
Locations
- Seoul
- South Korea
- São Paulo
- Brazil
- Paris
- France
- Rome
- Italy