Bringing island life to Seoul: fifteen Taiwanese artists to exhibit at BANK ART FAIR 2026
From 15 to 18 October 2026, the 19th BANK ART FAIR was held at SETEC in Gangnam, Seoul. LEXPO led fifteen Taiwanese artists to booth Hall 1-27, showcasing over thirty works including acrylics, watercolours, coloured pencils, Ebru marbling, and mixed media. The South Korean government has long invested in arts and culture, enacting the Art Promotion Act in 2023 to establish the art industry as a national policy, with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism consistently allocating budgets to support the industry and its international promotion. Consequently, South Korea’s international art fairs benefit from comprehensive promotion and planning, attracting a large number of collectors and visitors. For international artists, exhibiting in South Korea offers greater visibility and more opportunities to build long-term relationships with local collectors.
Chen Po-Yuan has long integrated ink wash painting with diverse materials and digital technology; his "Micro-Ink Illustrated" series draws from roadside plants in Chiayi, returning ink wash to the most everyday landscapes. Kate Huang uses "brain cells" as a motif to explore the distance between people and how one finds balance between the gaze of others and the self. Sarena Lo encountered art therapy while caring for her children; the cats in her work, often found on journeys or in the afternoon sun, reflect the peace that creation brings her. Grace Tseng, who has climbed all fourteen of the world's 8,000-metre peaks, brings her experiences of high mountains and polar regions into the "Classic of Mountains and Seas," using gold and silver leaf to create a dialogue between Eastern mythical beasts and the contemporary world. Paulina Cheung uses the fluid water patterns of the ancient Ebru marbling technique to discuss life, healing, and the courage to face differences. Chang Chen Yen’s flower fairies hide among lush blooms—fleeing, camouflaging, or showing anger—voicing the emotions that modern people often keep hidden. Liu Winnie began by painting her own pets, using coloured pencils layered like oil paint to capture the gaze and personality of animals on paper. Sophie Wu uses acrylics and mixed media to paint the mountains, forests, and seas of her imagination, believing that "not having seen something does not mean it does not exist."
Fiona Hou picked up her brush again at a different stage in her life; as a taxi driver, she uses watercolours to depict the ease of women who have walked through the years, and the richness of a life lived with peace of mind rather than a reliance on power. Tzu Yi Wang uses a classical yet whimsical touch to bring back the childlike wonder that is often worn away in the adult world. Lunareth’s "Coming for Her" depicts a woman standing in her own light—not chasing, but letting all things naturally draw near. Yu Chi, a primary school PE teacher, spends every day with children, which leads her to believe that growing up does not mean giving up one's imagination. Daphne Wu uses the cover of her mathematical picture book "Feeling" to express her longing for a late friend. Rachel Chen grew up with cats, and her work often features the everyday scenes of cats joining her for tea or flower arranging; meanwhile, Pai Chen Wei uses vibrant colours and animals to preserve the purest essence of childhood.
The South Korean government has enshrined the art industry in law, with long-term planning covering artists' rights, industrial systems, and overseas promotion, making Seoul an increasingly important city for connections between Asian collectors and galleries. The autumn art fair season attracts collectors from all over the world, and local collectors are becoming increasingly receptive to emerging artists. For Taiwanese artists, South Korea is geographically close, culturally similar, and supported by government resources and market enthusiasm. The collectors and exposure gained from one exhibition can be built upon during subsequent visits to Seoul, making it a market worth cultivating in the long term.
2026 BANK ART FAIR, 19th Edition
LEXPO Booth | Hall 1-27
VIP Preview | 15.10.2026 (Thu) 14:00–20:00
General Admission | 16.10.2026 (Fri) – 17.10.2026 (Sat) 11:00–19:30, 18.10.2026 (Sun) 11:00–18:00
Venue | Seoul SETEC Exhibition Centre (Exit 1, Hangnyeoul Station)
Address | 3104, Nambusunhwan-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
An international Art show platform founded in 2020, founded by Carina Chang with a mission to foster meaningful cultural exchange between Europe and Asia through contemporary art.
Follow
Related News
