[Opinion] Gallery

Japanese cartoon ‘Gallery Fake’ is about a story of a dealer of fake antiques. The protagonist is the curator of an art gallery with oratorical talent and who sells fake items to the wealthy. The fraudulence and conspiracy behind the noble cause of appealing “human souls” are straightforward. Considering several incidents in relation to scandals over fake paintings in Korea last year, the plot of the Japanese animation seems realistic.

The fake painting scam sent a big shock through the nation’s fine arts community since Korea’s revered modern artist Lee Jung-seop’s painting turned out to be fake. The painting was traded through a leading auction company, Seoul Auction, of which the president of Gana Art Gallery, a major gallery for Korean modern art, is the largest shareholder. Samsung Group was also suspicious of buying expensive arts through Seomi Gallery and Kukje Gallery with business funds.

Galleries can easily become a place for frauds since prices for art are not set and varies among galleries. Meanwhile, cooking the book is not hard if the president turns a blind eye. Since galleries are exempt from the transfer tax and not required to register such things like land and buildings, they can be a perfect method for inheritance, donations, and bribes. The secret of domestic galleries is well known around the world since it is possible for the owner to be the only person having knowledge about the trade while keepers and buyers remain secret.

Reportedly two aides of President-elect Lee Myung-bak simultaneously opened galleries in the same building. LEEHWAIk Gallery, named after the wife of lawmaker Jeong Du-eon, began its business in Insa-dong in 2001, expanded its business when she opened a new gallery in Jongno, in 2005, and started a branch in Cheongdam-dong, recently. Lawmaker Park Hyeong-jun’s wife Jo Hyun has been operating Johyun Gallery for 18 years in Busan and opened a branch in Seoul.

A source from the art circle said, “Attracting loyal customers is the key to gallery business, not piles of money. The two galleries are clear examples of their sound customer network.” A gallery specializing in mass arts has drawn attention because of its rapid growth since the inauguration of the Roh Moo-hyun administration. Curator Lee Hwa-ik reportedly said, “I had no choice but to get popular because of my husband’s popularity.” She might have felt burdened by the people saying, “politics and paintings go well together.”

Editorial writer Heo Mun-myeong, angelhuh@donga.com