The first edition of Art Gwangju, a contemporary art and design fair hosted by the Gwangju Biennale Foundation, was held at South Korea's Kimdaejung Convention Center (1-5 September). Sales for the fair were at a minimum with most gallerists, including Jang-eun Lee of the New York and South Korea-based Gana Art Gallery, complaining that there were “no collectors”, and that “most visitors regarded Art Gwangju as a kind of museum exhibition”. Taking advantage of high-profile visitors to the nearby Gwangju Biennale (3 September-7 November), the fair hosted panel discussions with guests including artist Ai Weiwei and Miami collectors Don and Mera Rubell.
Originally appeared in The Art Newspaper as ‘More officials than collectors?'
