25th SongEun Art Award Goes to Aram Lee

Seoul-born, Amsterdam-based artist Aram Lee has won the 25th SongEun Art Award, which was established by the SongEun Art and Cultural Foundation to support emerging contemporary artists in Korea. In her practice spanning performance, film, and video installations, Lee probes institutional definitions of space, media, and objects. She clinched the annual prize for her 30-minute film Every Worm Trampled is a Star (2025), which delves into the complex history of Yongsan Garrison, an area in central Seoul that once served as headquarters for the Imperial Japanese Army and later became a US military base. Featuring a narration by a third-generation Zainichi (ethnic Koreans who were relocated, often forcibly, to Japan), the work explores questions of identity and migration, as well as the prospect of reclaiming the land. Along with receiving KRW 20 million (USD 13,625), Lee will hold a solo exhibition at SongEun Art Space in Seoul within the next three years. Additionally, she will have the opportunity to take part in two residencies organized by London’s Delfina Foundation and the Seoul Museum of Art, respectively. All 20 finalists’ works are currently on view at SongEun Art Space through February 14.

Sotheby’s to Hold Second Auction in Saudi Arabia

Sotheby’s will hold its second auction in Saudi Arabia on January 31 in Diriyah. Titled “Origins II,” the sale shifts from the previous mix of luxury items to focus exclusively on fine art. Over 70 works spanning antiquities to contemporary works will be offered, with an emphasis on Middle Eastern art. “Following the success of our inaugural sale, . . . Sotheby’s remains committed to providing international visibility while supporting the region’s growing art ecosystem,” said Ashkan Baghestani, the auction house’s head of contemporary day sale, in a press release.

Neeraj Patel Debuts Textile Installation for Jaipur’s Sculpture Park

Indian artist Neeraj Patel has unveiled his latest work, The land of memories, traces, and stories of the recent past (2025), as part of the sixth edition of the Sculpture Park at Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur. Born from a collaboration between Patel and local artisans, the sprawling, three-part installation comprises colorful fabrics that simulate the structure of a fort, exploring themes of architecture, labor, and material. For this project, the artist visited abandoned and active textile mills in Jaipur and Bikaner to study the evolution of this age-old craft, as well as the subtle tension between traditional handweaving and modern machine manufacturing. Curated by Peter Nagy and sponsored by Jaipur Rugs, the 2025–26 Sculpture Park is co-organized by the Jaipur Centre for Art and Saat Saath Arts Foundation. The event runs through October 15.

Pavilion Releases Gallery List for Inaugural Taipei Edition

Pavilion, a new boutique art fair founded by gallerists Willem Molesworth and Ysabelle Cheung, launches in Taipei from January 22–26 at the Grand Courtyard, a historic building in Da’an district. The initial list of exhibitors includes 13 galleries from seven cities, including 47 Canal, Asia Art Center, Kiang Malingue, Eunoia, Galerie Marguo, Meyer Riegger Wolff, Misako & Rosen, Nunu Fine Art, PTT Space, PHD Group, The Page Gallery, The Third, and Yiri Arts. Curated by independent curator Alan Ku—formerly of Hive Center for Contemporary Art and Longlati Foundation in Shanghai—the Taipei edition emphasizes mid-scale presentations and sustained dialogue between galleries, artists, and collectors. A Hong Kong edition of Pavilion will follow in March 2026.