SEOUL.- As Gallery Hyundai approaches its 50th anniversary in 2020, a new appointment alongside international initiatives have seen the gallery further its reputation as one of the most influential and longest-running contemporary art spaces from Korea.

Founded by Park MyungJa in 1970, Gallery Hyundai has continued to gain global recognition for Korea’s most influential artists alongside representing prominent international artists. Today under the direction of second-generation gallerist Do HyungTeh, it continues to support pioneering Korean and international artists through exhibitions in its galleries and beyond, collaborating with museums and institutions internationally and participating in fairs. In recent years, the gallery has expanded its roster of artists, hosted the debut exhibitions of François Morellet, Ai Weiwei and Ryan Gander – amongst others – in Korea, and maintained its long-term representation of Robert Indiana and Thomas Struth. In addition to this, Do has been donating to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea for the past 10 years, contributing to the growth of the artistic status of Korea.

Historically the gallery has played an integral role in the development of Korea’s contemporary art infrastructure and has helped foster the careers of major artists such as Kim Whanki and Nam June Paik alongside many important Dansaekhwa artists such as Chung Sang-Hwa and Lee Ufan.

This year, Do is joined by Patrick Lee as Executive Director; a new position added to Gallery Hyundai’s senior team in order to realise their creative vision. Lee will work closely alongside Do to continue developing the gallery’s profile and business, and to cultivate relationships with artists, collectors, curators, and partner institutions. Lee will be based in Seoul but brings his extensive international experience to Gallery Hyundai’s new private showroom in New York.

Lee was previously Partner and Director of ONE AND J. Gallery, Seoul, having been there since 2006. The gallery established a reputation for supporting young contemporary Korean artists on a global scale. He recently served on the committee of Art Basel Hong Kong as a Sector Expert for Discoveries and Insights.