The idea of domestic aesthetics as a site of post-Western intent is an intriguing one. But that is the sort of discussion that Lloyd Choi Gallery and Schoeni Projects Interiors are looking to foster. Central to the view is the idea of heritage as a continuing facet of cultural reproduction, and how domestic artefacts tie a culture to the material world through craftsmanship. Gallerist Lloyd Choi suggests this challenges Eurocentricity, but how?
One suggestion is that by incorporating contemporary Asian art and culture this exhibition moves beyond being merely an exotic display of cultural wares and towards a more nuanced dialogue around the evolution of culture. Fair enough. But it’s a heavy conceptual load for four Korean artists to carry. Ambitious? Yes. Let’s see if they pull it off.
Exhibition Notes: Lloyd Choi Gallery and Schoeni Projects Interiors (spi) debut at Asian Art in London 2025 Sotheby’s. 1 – 5 November 2025
Lloyd Choi Gallery and Schoeni Projects Interiors (spi) debut at Sotheby’s London this November as part of Asian Art in London 2025, with parallel exhibitions exploring heritage as a living, creative force. The collaboration shares a vision of honouring tradition while embracing experimentation, approaching heritage not as a static legacy but as an evolving force — shaped by craftsmanship, renewal, and continuity as much as by symbolism and materiality. Together, they offer new perspectives on how artistic practices connect past and present. The two exhibitions at Sotheby’s present complementary perspectives on how heritage continues to inform contemporary practice and interiors.
Lloyd Choi Gallery: Heritage as Subject
Lloyd Choi Gallery makes its debut at Asian Art in London with Heritage as Subject, an exhibition that explores one of the central questions in today’s art world: how can we move beyond a Eurocentric framework that continues to shape the perception of Asian art?
Heritage as Subject considers heritage not as a fixed inheritance but as a dynamic, evolving field. The exhibition presents inherited materials and philosophies not as static symbols, but as living practices that challenge Western hierarchies of value and form. Through their work, four contemporary Korean artists bring tradition into dialogue with the present, positioning it as a source of creativity, resistance, and renewal:
- Choi Boram (b.1985) reimagines Blue and White Porcelain as raw stoneware sculpture, seeking autonomy in artistic expression beyond tradition.
- Park Sungwook (b.1972) abstracts 14th-century Korean Buncheong ceramics and the iconic Moon Jar form into wall sculptures.
- Lee Sora (b.1967) expands traditional salvage textile, Jogakbo hand-stitching into large contemporary works where meditative process honours labour.
- Kim Hyunju (b.1979) revives mother-of-pearl inlay through contemporary metalwork, transforming decorative craft into new palettes drawn from nature.
Lloyd Choi commented: “I believe craftsmanship-led practices keep heritage alive, where meditative processes and material intelligence restore humanity to contemporary art and help move beyond Eurocentric views.”
spi: Heritage as a Living Dialogue
spi debuts with Heritage as a Living Dialogue, marking the beginning of a journey that reflects its focus on curated interior collectibles rooted in global heritage and contemporary art.
Presented in conversation with Lloyd Choi Gallery’s Heritage as Subject, Heritage as a Living Dialogue brings Chinese antique furniture and scholar’s objects into dialogue with contemporary artworks, exploring how material culture and aesthetic values transcend time. At the heart of this presentation is the notion that antiques — once deeply functional — are not only markers of daily life but also expressions of aesthetic and cultural identity. Selected pieces such as altar tables, lamp hanger chairs, and low benches are shown alongside refined scholar’s objects including brush pots and trays. These historical works are juxtaposed with contemporary art by artists such as Chen Fei (b.1983), Go Hung (b.1980) and Yue Minjun (b.1962), creating a dynamic interplay between eras, materials, and meaning.
Nicole Schoeni commented: “At spi, we believe the objects we choose to live with — whether antique or contemporary — not only shape our spaces, but also reflect our personal aesthetics and deepen our cultural understanding. To collect is not only to preserve, but also to tell a story — one that unfolds with every object acquired and every space curated. Our work is grounded at the intersection of art and interiors, curating collectible pieces that carry stories, honour heritage, and foster dialogue across people, places, and time — revealing the synergy between past and present.”
This exhibition brings that philosophy to life, blending historic craftsmanship with contemporary voices to create interiors that feel lived-in, layered, and resonant.
KEY DATES
Fri 31 October, 18:00 – 20:00 Opening Reception for Asian Art in London exhibitions, Sotheby’s (by invitation)
Sat 1 – Wed 5 November Asian Art in London exhibitions, Sotheby’s
Tues 4 November, 18:00 – 18:30 Guided Tour, Sotheby’s
The exhibitions are part of Asian Art in London 2025 at Sotheby’s, London
The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance. – Aristotle
