In its latest edition, SWAB Barcelona focused on East Asia, emphasizing the contemporary art scenes of Tokyo and Seoul. For this edition, the fair presented six projects that explore artistic sensitivity, perception, and identity in the region. Each of these spaces offers a unique perspective, shaping a landscape where various approaches to artistic practice converge, examining their relationship with the surrounding environment and sociocultural context, and revealing how these factors shape or transform the artist’s identity.
Tokyo and Seoul, epicenters of both tradition and avant-garde, spark a dialogue about the impact of modernization on their cultural identities. This program explored how context and history influenced artistic production, shaping both the artwork and the creators’ identities. Through this exploration, it expanded sensitivity that enriches modes of perception and expression, opening new perspectives for the experience and analysis of contemporary art.
Curated by Kelvin Kyung Kun Park—an artist, curator, and director of exhibition spaces deeply connected to the Korean art and cultural scene—the program brought together emerging galleries and self-managed spaces that resonate with some of the most incisive and avant-garde practices currently shaping both cities.

Space Willing N Dealing, Seoul
Participating galleries:
MJK Gallery, Tokyo
The White, Tokyo
GALLERY2, Seoul
Ingahee, Seoul
ooooon(OhOn), Seoul
Space Willing N Dealing, Seoul.

Ingahee Gallery, Seoul
In your curatorial proposal, you speak of “Tentacles of Thought” as a metaphor that links the artistic sensibilities of Seoul and Tokyo. How does this metaphor connect with the contemporary art of both cities?
I love food, and I often reflect on how we experience food—what we consider “good” or “bad,” “our” taste or desire, often extends beyond the individual. These preferences are deeply rooted in inherited cultural values. Imagining a shared sensibility between Spanish and East Asian cultures, the texture, smell, and image of an octopus dish came to mind. For me, the octopus became a symbol rooted in sensory perception rather than any deep knowledge of cultures. It was intended as an evocation rather than a precise articulation of ideas.

ooooon(OhOn), Seoul
You mention a more tactile sensitivity than optical, heavily influenced by the experience of space and material rather than a Cartesian perception that distantiates the mind from the body. How is this sensitivity reflected in the works and artists selected for Focus Tokyo Seoul?
From my experiences with East Asian colleagues, I’ve noticed that we often interpret space differently compared to our Western counterparts. A Korean artist once described entering a room as feeling surrounded by an invisible fabric that touches the body—a sensation tied to “chi” or energy. This is more of a bodily experience than a visual one. Even with three-dimensional works, Asian artists often approach composition through texture and two-dimensional scales, as if designing for photography.
Globalization and its impact on artistic practices have been recurring themes in recent decades. How do you see the impact of globalization on the art scenes of Tokyo and Seoul? And what significance does the concept of “post-globalization” hold for these artists?
Speaking as a local artist in Seoul, international attention to Korean art arrived relatively late compared to other Korean pop cultures. This has been a double-edged sword. On one hand, a previously conservative, insular art scene appears more transparent. On the other hand, the market can overshadow the growth of young artists, who face pressure to commercialize their work prematurely. The challenge now is for artists to develop greater self-awareness before selling out.

MJK Gallery, Tokyo
In recent years, both Tokyo and Seoul have seen a rise in the presence of young artists and self-managed spaces. How do you perceive this shift compared to previous generations, and what do you think it contributes to the art scene?

GALLERY2, Seoul
SWAB RADIO 2024 BY ARTSYPER
On the post-global horizon: echoes of tradition from Tokyo and Seoul
Globalization, far from being a homogeneous process, has revealed multiple tensions and contradictions that have affected our societies. While global dynamics have accelerated the interconnection between cultures and economies, they have also magnified the differences in how social concerns, struggles, and frustrations are experienced. In this context, East Asian cities such as Tokyo and Seoul have occupied a unique place in the interplay between tradition and modernity, reflecting a negotiation between preserving their cultural roots and adapting to the currents of a globalized world.
Participants: Kelvin Kyung Kun Park (curator Focus Tokyo-Seoul), Kim Inseon (Space Willing N Dealing)

The White, Tokyo
In collaboration with:
