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Esther Schipper and Florian Wojnar are pleased to announce that Sunil Kim has been appointed Partner at our newly expanded Seoul location. Ms. Kim first joined Esther Schipper as an External Director in 2021 and was promoted to Director and CEO in 2022, leading the successful launch of the gallery’s first space in Seoul later that year.
Esther Schipper has been actively engaged with the Korean art community for over a decade, playing a key role in Seoul’s rise as a regional and global hub of contemporary art.
The gallery’s artists—including Ryan Gander, Philippe Parreno, Liam Gillick, Anicka Yi, and most recently, Pierre Huyghe—have presented major museum exhibitions in Korea. Under Ms. Kim’s leadership, the gallery has significantly expanded its institutional programming and educational initiatives, organizing a series of lectures featuring renowned guest curators from national museums. Since its opening, the gallery has also introduced several internationally acclaimed artists to the Korean audience, hosting their first solo exhibitions in Korea, including Angela Bulloch, Rosa Barba, Karin Sander, Etienne Chambaud, and others.
Additionally, in 2023, the gallery organized Dui Jip Ki, an exhibition that played an important role in connecting our European audience with the vast Korean art scene, showcasing leading Korean artists in simultaneous presentations in Berlin and Seoul. This also marked the beginning of the gallery’s representation of Hyunsun Jeon.
Ms. Kim began her career in 2007 in institutional settings and has since spent over a decade working in contemporary art galleries. Her promotion to Partner recognizes her exceptional leadership and contributions, including establishing a sustainable and continuous program in Seoul, strengthening institutional collaborations, and driving local sales and gallery management strategies.
“Sunil has seamlessly guided us through the intricacies of our partnerships and collaborations with the Korean art community,” says Esther Schipper. “As every gallery brings its own culture, it is incredibly important for us to remain responsive and evolve in close proximity to the communities we engage with. Under Sunil’s leadership, our Seoul gallery has flourished beyond my expectations, ensuring the sustainability of our programming and deepening our connection with the vibrant Korean art scene.”