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Designer Jung Ku-ho named creative director for Kiaf Seoul 2026

Published: 20 Apr. 2026, 13:13 Updated: 20 Apr. 2026, 19:59

MICHAEL LEE
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Left: Jung Ku-ho, the newly appointed director of Kiaf Seoul 2026. Right: The logo of Kiaf Seoul [KIAF]

Kiaf has appointed designer Jung Ku-ho as the creative director for Kiaf Seoul 2026, organizers said Monday, marking the first time the Korean art fair has brought in an external figure to oversee its direction and vision.

The move comes as Seoul positions itself as a global art hub while Kiaf seeks to sharpen its brand and differentiate the visitor experience in an increasingly competitive art fair landscape.

Jung, a visual director whose work spans fashion, the performing arts and exhibition planning, will take charge of the fair’s branding, spatial design and special exhibitions, according to a press release from Kiaf.

His appointment is aimed at strengthening the curatorial coherence and overall quality of the event, with a greater focus on narrative-driven presentation and audience engagement.

He previously led a wide range of cross-disciplinary projects, including the fashion brand KUHO, and has overseen stage direction, set and costume design for major state-run arts institutions such as the national dance, ballet and opera companies.

Jung previously served as artistic director for a Korean craft exhibition in Milan and as general director of the Craft Trend Fair.

Kiaf said Jung’s experience across domestic and international projects would help restructure the fair around a more experience-centered format.

“As creative director of Kiaf Seoul 2026, I will work to position Korea’s art market at a new balancing point between technology and sensibility,” Jung said in a statement. “I will devote all my efforts to helping Kiaf evolve into a meaningful platform in the global art market.”

Lee Sung-hoon, chairman of the Kiaf Seoul 2026 organizing committee and head of the Korea Galleries Association, said he expects Jung to bring “fresh change and new energy” to the fair, citing his ability to move across fashion, performance, craft and exhibition design.

Kiaf Seoul 2026 is scheduled to take place from Sept. 2 to 6 at Coex in Gangnam District, southern Seoul.

BY MICHAEL LEE [[email protected]]