A duty-free shop transformed into an art space… “We exhibit and sell art.”

Artworks can now be purchased at duty-free shops. Shinsegae Duty Free announced on the 16th that it will create an ‘Art Space’ on the 8th floor of Shinsegae Duty Free’s Myeongdong, Jung-gu, Seoul, where you can appreciate and purchase art. It is the first time in Korea to sell art at a duty-free shop.

The reason Shinsegae Duty Free created an art space is not just for sales purposes. It also aims to inform the world of the works of up-and-coming artists who are difficult to get an opportunity to promote their works. Shinsegae Duty Free promoted artists and works through domestic and overseas social network service (SNS) accounts, and first introduced artworks to be displayed at online malls.

Art Space was unveiled on the 13th. Shinsegae Duty Free said, “We have planned a special exhibition composed of colorful works in collaboration with artists from various fields, targeting the MZ generation, who view art as a hobby and play and experience it through various online and offline channels.”

First, the art space was filled with the works of illustrators ‘Sonyari’ and ‘Kim Eun-ah’. The theme was ‘Writer’s Room’ so that the unique sensibility of the participating artists could be conveyed. Like an art museum, visitors can freely appreciate the work. From the 30th of this month, you can enjoy the exhibited works on Shinsegae Duty Free’s official Instagram and SNS such as China’s Weibo and WeChat.

Sonnyari, an illustrator popular with the MZ generation, and his work. [사진 신세계면세점]

Sonyari is considered one of the most popular illustrators among the MZ generation for her colorful colors and unique drawings. He travels between the Netherlands and Korea to present various works through murals, art works, and product exhibitions. Some of Sonyari’s works are produced and sold in a limited edition of 88 pieces. When you purchase the limited edition, you will receive a warranty card with the edition number on it.

Eunah Kim is a designer who puts nature and everyday materials into her artworks with watercolor sensibility and runs a lifestyle specialty store, LYDIA Art &Scent.

By Choi Hyun-joo, staff reporter chj80@joongang.co.kr