All in the family

KUKJE Gallery is one of the leading galleries in Seoul. It has a strong local and international perspective, introducing art giants such as Louise Bourgeois, Donald Judd, Anselm Kiefer, Anish Kapoor, Julian Opie, Helen Frankenthaler and Jenny Holzer to the wider Korean public.

Opened in 1982, Kukje Gallery has gone from strength to strength. In 2007, it opened a second space to celebrate its 25th anniversary. And in 2012, it opened its third space to celebrate its 30th. While other galleries struggle in a tough and unpredictable market, Kukje continues to draw new collectors with its roster of stars that include Korean hotshots Kim Hong Joo, Chung Chang-Sup, Haegue Yang and Kimsooja.

What lies behind its success? Some say it's founder Hyun-Sook Lee's unerring eye. Though she declines to reveal her age, she says: "I have been collecting art since the 1970s. Although I didn't study art. I was naturally curious about all forms of cultural expression, from music and film to visual arts. And I was lucky to have a businessman husband who supported my passion and collecting habit."