Herald Artday Auction features top names

Over 100 works by up-and-coming and veteran artists on auction


Artday, a subsidiary of the Herald Media group, opened its fifth auction last week.

It featured 110 paintings, photographs and prints by acclaimed Korean artists, ranging from up-and-comers such as Park Hyung-jin, Kim Jun and Lee Ho-ryon, to established figures Kim Jong-hak, Kim Chang-ryul and Jang Uk-jin.

With its fifth auction, Artday has demonstrated that online auctions can present high-priced artworks by established artists. Previously, online auctions often presented artworks at lower prices ― around 1 million won to 2 million won ($875 to $1750).

Artday auction is easily accessible for first-timers as it aims to be an open market to both new and experienced collectors. 

“Artday auction is expanding its presence among young collectors. We expect the art world will revive soon from depression as several international art fairs are held in May and June,” said So Don-young, the company’s vice president.

The highlight of the latest auction is Kim Jong-hak’s “Summer Scenery,” depicting a summer scene at Seorak Mountain with flowers and insects in vivid and bright colors.

The starting bid for Kim’s work is 30 million won.

The exhibition also unveils Kim’s “Seorak Mountain Ulsan Rock,” which portrays the mountain covered in snow, drawn from a distant view.

Artworks by well-known foreign artists including Gerhard Richter, Maki Hosokawa, Janos Schaab and Harry Meyer are also on the block.

Highlights by foreign artists include Christo’s two rare photographs “Umbrellas Diamonds Yellow” and “Surrounded Islands,” featuring a large-scale landscape.

The two pieces are considered rare as “Umbrellas Diamonds Yellow” was taken at a unique exhibition featuring umbrellas set up over an expanse of land.

Print works by Alexander Calder, Sam Francis and Alex Katz are also available for purchase at approachable prices.

Those interested can view the works at the exhibition which runs until July 3 at Gallery DOS in Jongno, Seoul, or at the Artday website. The auction closes one item per minute starting 5 p.m. on July 3.

For more information, call (02) 3210-2255, or visit www.artday.co.kr.

By Lee Woo-young (wylee@heraldcorp.com)