본 연구는 국내 미술시장에 대한 조사의 필요성이 제기되면서 2009년부터 문화체육관광부 주최, (재)예술경영지원센터 주관으로 진행되고 있는 「미술시장실태조사」의 결과를 토대로 국내미술시장의 흐름을 분석 하였다. 현대의 미술작품은 과거 관람의 목적 및 특정 계층의 소장 및 소유품에서 벗어나 점차 대중화의 길로 접어들고 있다. 이를 증명하듯 세계적으로 화랑(Gallery) 및 미술관(Museum)과 같은 전시장이 성행 중이다. 또한, 미술작품의 가치가 형성되며, 전문적으로 경매 거래를 하는 경매회사(Art Auction)와 미술작품 관람 및 매매가 동시에 가능한 아트페어(Art Fair)가 전 세계에서 개최되고 있다. 국내 미술시장 역시 수백여 개의 화랑이 운영 중이며, 미술품 경매회사를 통한 경매가 열리고, 전국에서 아트페어가 개최 되어 이를 통해 수많은 작품들의 거래가 이루어지고 있다. 전통적인 미술시장 강국인 프랑스, 영국, 미국 등과 비교해 본다면 국내 미술시장은 아직 걸음마 단계라 할 수 있다. 하지만, 성장추세를 보이는 시장과, 애호가 및 컬렉터 층의 확산, 미술품에 대한 거래의 투명성이 강조되는 현상을 미루어 볼 때, 국내 미술시장의 안정적인 발전 가능성은 충분해 보인다.
The present analytical research is based on the data from a report titled ‘Survey on The Art market,’ an outcome of the project run by the Korea Arts Management Service under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism since 2009 as an effort to find out the status of market. In these modern times, art works are gradually shifting toward popularization away from collections and possessions of a certain class for viewing. In the same vein, exhibition halls such as galleries and museums throughout the world have driven thriving trades together with specialized art auction houses by pushing art works up for auction and also with art fairs for both viewing and trading works of art. Besides, the advancement of IT has allowed buying and selling art works via online sellers or auction houses. Recently, anyone can view and purchase works of art anytime and anywhere with ease via online galleries and art fairs. In addition, works of art have been viewed as valuable investment products. Subsequently, financial products such as art funds have been developed and operated as well as used as a means of investment techniques in pursuit of profit margins. In May 2012, ‘The Scream’ by Edvard Munch (1863.1944, Norwey) a representative .expressionist, sold for $119,920,000 (135.4 billion Won) at Sotherby’s Auction, causing a sensation by breaking the record of the world’s most expensive works of art. Concerning paying such an exorbitant price for a work of art, a question is raised about whether a work of art has the value as much. Likewise, works of art are still perceived as nothing but luxury items of the haves. Nonetheless, there is no denying the fact that a huge global market has been formed and expected to develop further to deal in art works as well as recognize their values. These days, art works that used to be hung on the walls in galleries or living rooms are busy crossing national borders. As aforementioned, such movements have been enhanced by galleries, auction houses and art fairs playing major roles in establishing and driving exchanges in tandem with huge transnational capital. The global art market cannot be discussed without mentioning the year 2007, which is regarded as its renaissance. According to the “International Art Market 2011” published by「The European Fine Art Foundation(TEFAF), the year 2007 has marked a watershed in the growth and recession of global art market. Global art market grew up since 2003 and enjoyed its renaissance in 2007 with about 480,650,000 Euro (74 trillion Won). However, the global financial crisis in the same year drove down the global art market, which has had a hard time with recovery. Overall, the period up to 2011 is considered a second decline in global art market after the previous one during the 1930s.