Largest Korea-Led Art Fair in India Kicks Off in Delhi
New Delhi: The Yashobhoomi Convention Centre in New Delhi hosted the inaugural Art Asia Delhi 2025, a landmark international art fair co-hosted by Art Asia and Kintex. The event was inaugurated by Lee Seong-ho, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India.
Marking a historic milestone, Art Asia Delhi 2025 stands as the largest Korea-led international art fair ever hosted in India. The landmark event united 51 galleries and over 220 artists from nations including Korea, India, the United States, Japan, and beyond, showcasing more than 760 artworks across 61 booths. This dynamic convergence of cultures and creativity set the stage for a vibrant exchange of ideas.
The exhibition unfolds across nine curated sections, including a cutting-edge New Media Special Exhibition featuring AI-powered and interactive works, and a Masters’ Special Exhibition honoring iconic artists from both India and Korea.
Speaking at the opening ceremony after the traditional lighting of the lamp, Lee Seong-ho called it a ‘historic art fair’, stating, “This is the largest Korean-led art fair ever organized in India. It showcases the vibrant colors, creativity, and spirit of Korean and Asian contemporary art and the depth of cultural bonds enriching Korea-India partnership. For art lovers, this is a rare chance to witness Asia’s artistic landscape’s creativity and diverse voices on one stage. This fair celebrates the shared cultural journey and partnership between our nations.”
Sanjeev Kishor Goutam emphasized art’s power to bridge cultural divides and foster understanding among nations, saying, “This exhibition is a testament to the enduring bond between Korea and India, with a deep history of cultural exchange and mutual appreciation. The artworks showcase participating countries’ diversity and creativity, from traditional forms to innovative contemporary pieces. This exhibition symbolizes shared humanity and commitment to creativity, innovation, and mutual respect.”
The exhibition combines technology, tradition, and cultural content. It includes presentations reinterpreting traditional Korean materials like ‘hanji’ (traditional paper), gold leaf, moon jars, and mother-of-pearl in a modern way. The New Media Special Exhibition featured cutting-edge AI and interactive works. The Masters’ Special Exhibition paid tribute to iconic artists from India (S.H. Raza, Krishen Khanna, Ram Kumar, G.R. Santosh, Bose Krishnamachari, Jagannath Panda) and Korea (late Kim Tschang-Yeul, Lee Bae, Kim Hyung-Dae). Artist Choi Jeong-Wook, renowned for his ‘Moon Jar series’, was a special highlight, recognized internationally including by collectors like Bill Gates.
The event is supported by Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Cultural Centre India.
Among attendees were Sanjeev Kishor Goutam, Director General of the National Gallery of Modern Art; Manisha Swami, Deputy Director General of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations; Yoo Jin Ryong, former Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea and Lee Dal Gon, former Minister of the Interior and Safety of the Republic of Korea.
