Korean art is gaining attention worldwide, but access remains fragmented. Works appear scattered across global platforms, often stripped of context and identity. DeArt82 was created to change that.
Founded by Kanghyung Lee with a clear goal—to bring Korean art closer to the public while opening real opportunities for artists—DeArt82 positions itself as both a cultural bridge and a technology-driven platform. Its work sits at the intersection of exhibition, digital innovation, and global curation, reshaping how K-Art is seen, experienced, and collected.
“At the time, there was almost no place where overseas audiences could discover Korean art in one place, in real depth,” the founder explains. “On platforms like Artsy or Saatchi Art, Korean artists are buried among countless others. K-Art doesn’t stand out.”
That absence became the starting point.
A Platform Built for K-Art, Not Lost Within It
Rather than placing Korean artists inside a global system built for everything and everyone, DeArt82 chose focus. Its mission is simple but ambitious: create a dedicated ecosystem where Korean art is visible, legible, and valued on its own terms.
The name itself references Korea’s international code, 82, signalling an intention to represent the full spectrum of Korean art—past, present, and emerging. From traditional sensibilities to contemporary experimentation, DeArt82 treats K-Art as a living, evolving language.
This clarity of purpose has shaped every part of the company’s growth, from exhibitions to technology to its upcoming global platform.
Seeing More Than the Naked Eye: GigaPixel Technology
One of DeArt82’s defining tools is its patented GigaPixel technology. Capable of capturing artworks in over 10 billion pixels, it allows viewers to explore paintings beyond what the eye can normally take in.
“GigaPixel holds more visual information than the physical work at a single glance,” the founder Lee says. “You can zoom into every brushstroke, every crack in the paint, every texture of the canvas.”
This is not about replacing the original work. It is about extending intimacy. Viewers do not simply look—they explore.
That philosophy became tangible with the installation of Korea’s first GigaPixel screen at the entrance of the Seoul Arts Center storage facility. The reaction was immediate.
“People say, ‘I can see it better than in real life,’ or ‘I kept zooming in and lost track of time,’” the founder shares. “They stay longer. They come back. And they share it.”
The technology turns viewing into participation.
From Seoul to London: Introducing K-Art to New Eyes
In 2023, DeArt82 brought this experience overseas. Works captured with GigaPixel technology were showcased at The Oullim London event and displayed on the massive media façade of Tottenham Outernet—one of Europe’s most visible digital art spaces.
For many visitors, it was a first encounter with Korean art.
“Most people told us they didn’t know Korean art was this diverse or sophisticated,” the founder recalls. “The scale and clarity made a strong first impression.”
The impact went beyond visibility. After the London presentations, interest in the artists grew quickly. Inquiries increased. Collaboration proposals followed. The works later appeared at the Saatchi Gallery, where they sold out at auction.
According to DeArt82, the success was not accidental.
“These works carried a distinctly Korean emotion, but they also spoke the visual language of today’s global art market,” the founder explains. “Strong curation and storytelling built trust with collectors.”
Exhibitions Beyond the White Cube
DeArt82 has organized more than 50 exhibitions, often stepping outside traditional gallery formats. One project in Siheung, Gyeonggi-do, stands out.
Instead of a white-cube gallery, the exhibition took over an empty commercial building. Eighteen retail units became eighteen themed exhibition spaces. Outside, the sea framed the experience.
“The artworks and the everyday environment spoke to each other,” the founder says. “Art blended into daily life.”
This approach reflects DeArt82’s wider philosophy. Art does not need to be distant or exclusive. It can exist where people already are.
Supporting Artists With Disabilities—As Professionals
A key part of DeArt82’s work focuses on artists with disabilities, but with a firm stance against tokenism.
“We never treat them as recipients of support,” the founder states. “They are professional artists.”
Through partnerships, portfolio reviews, and mentoring, DeArt82 identifies talent and builds long-term structures around it. Exhibitions, sales, and IP licensing ensure these artists are not just shown—but sustained.
The goal is independence, not charity.
Art You Can Live With
Beyond exhibitions, DeArt82 develops lifestyle products inspired by artworks. These are not mass-produced items, but limited, collectible objects created in close collaboration with artists.
“The product should never damage the artist’s world or message,” the founder says. “Everything is developed and approved together.”
The result is a balance between artistic integrity and commercial reality—objects that bring art into daily life without diluting its meaning.
DOKHBI: A New Global Home for K-Art
The next step is DOKHBI, DeArt82’s global online curation platform for Korean art.
The idea came from a simple question: why doesn’t Korea have its own world-class art platform?
Unlike gallery-driven services, DOKHBI focuses on individual artists and their stories. Originals take priority. Context matters. Korean identity is not hidden—it is central.
Collectors can often purchase works at lower prices than on larger platforms, but the real value lies in depth. DOKHBI is built for people who want to understand, not just acquire.
The name draws from dokkaebi, a playful yet noble spirit in Korean folklore. Even the spelling carries meaning. The “H” reflects the Korean vowel ㅐ, designed to bridge languages while preserving sound and identity.
“Through DOKHBI, we invite the world to discover art that connects tradition and innovation,” the founder says. “Heritage and modern life.”
The Invisible Identity of Korean Art
Perhaps the most compelling idea behind DeArt82’s work is what it calls the “invisible identity” of Korean art.
It is not always found in obvious motifs or faces. Instead, it lives in emotion, restraint, and space.
“I see it as an understated feeling, quiet depth, and a sense of emptiness,” Lee explains. “It comes from daily life and history.”
They often describe it through metaphor. Every country, they say, has its own “color of air.” Light, weather, materials, and atmosphere shape how art feels.
“You may not be able to name it,” he adds. “But you can feel it.”
And that feeling is what DeArt82 is determined to bring to the world—clearly, thoughtfully, and on its own terms.
For more information on DOKHBI, visit www.dokhbi.com.
Artist connect courtesy of Team8 Partners
Company Snapshot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Company Name | DeArt82 |
| Mission | Bringing art closer to the public, creating opportunities for artists, and capturing the full essence of Korean art |
| Focus | Global expansion of Korean artists and K-Art |
| Core Technology | Patented GigaPixel ultra-high-resolution imaging |
| Key Activities | Exhibitions, digital art experiences, lifestyle products, artist support programs |
| Platform | DOKHBI – a global curation platform for K-Art |
| Global Presence | Seoul, London, international art markets |
| Website | www.dokhbi.com |
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