Frieze Seoul debuts Spotlight section

Frieze Seoul opened on Wednesday with a new section called Spotlight, a curated group of 12 solo presentations devoted to 20th-century artists. The section is appearing at the fair for the first time in 2026 and runs as part of Frieze Seoul’s Sept. 2-5 edition at COEX in Gangnam. (frieze.com) Frieze said Spotlight is dedicated to artists from beyond the dominant Western canon and is built around solo booths rather than broader thematic groupings. The fair’s official materials say the section was curated by Wonseok Koh, director of Line Cultural Foundation. The launch comes as Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul opened together on Sept. 2 with a combined 308 galleries, according to The Korea Times. (koreatimes.co.kr) That report said 2026 is the final year the two fairs will be held in the same COEX building, even though their partnership has been extended through 2031. ### What exactly is Spotlight showing at the fair? Spotlight consists of 12 solo presentations of 20th-century artists, Frieze said in its preview coverage and press materials. The section is meant to foreground overlooked figures, evolving practices and early works by established artists, according to Frieze. (frieze.com) The Art Newspaper reported that the participating artists come from countries including India, Germany, Serbia, Nepal and South Korea. Its preview described the section as bringing together “12 solo presentations of 20th-century artists” and framed it as a new addition to this year’s fair. (koreatimes.co.kr) ### Who put the section together, and how is it being framed? Wonseok Koh, the director of Line Cultural Foundation, is the curator of Spotlight, according to Frieze. Frieze’s preview article said the section reflects growing interest among Korean and international audiences in art-historical narratives beyond dominant Western canons. (frieze.com) USA Art News, citing preview materials and Koh’s comments, said the section aims to reintroduce overlooked artists and highlight work made outside traditional art centers. That description matches Frieze’s own language about underrepresented 20th-century artists and solo presentations. (theartnewspaper.com) ### Which artists are being singled out in early coverage? Lain Singh Bangdel is one of the artists highlighted in pre-fair coverage. The Art Newspaper said Tansbao Gallery is presenting Bangdel’s 1972 work “Echo of the Mountain,” while USA Art News also identified him as one of the artists Koh discussed in relation to the section. (frieze.com) Frieze’s own editorial preview did not list all 12 projects in the search excerpts available, but it highlighted six artists in Spotlight and described the section as a place to discover overlooked 20th-century figures. The fair’s first-details page also said Spotlight is one of two new sections introduced in 2026, alongside Material Practice. (usaartnews.com) ### How does Spotlight fit into this year’s fair? Frieze Seoul 2026 is the fair’s fifth edition and features more than 125 galleries from 30 countries, according to Frieze’s June 9 press release. The company said the majority of participating galleries are based in the Asia-Pacific region. (theartnewspaper.com) The broader Seoul art week extends beyond the fair itself. Frieze said its programming this year includes Frieze Live, film screenings, talks and neighborhood events across the city, while The Korea Times said collectors and visitors are also moving through museum shows and late-night gallery openings tied to the week. (frieze.com) ### What happens next at COEX this week? Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul continue at COEX through Sept. 5, according to Frieze and local coverage. Frieze’s programming page says the fair is part of a wider Frieze Week in Seoul, with public art, talks, film and gallery events scheduled around the city through the week. (press.frieze.com) September 5 is also the end of the last edition in which Frieze Seoul and Kiaf Seoul share the same COEX building, The Korea Times reported. For visitors this week, Spotlight is one of the main new sections on view alongside Focus and Material Practice. (koreatimes.co.kr) (frieze.com)