Rachel Lehmann and David Maupin are pleased to announce the promotion of Emma Son to Partner, based in Seoul. As Partner, Son will continue to oversee Lehmann Maupin’s outpost in Seoul and the gallery’s broader initiatives in South Korea.
Under Son’s leadership, Lehmann Maupin became one of the first international galleries to establish a permanent space in South Korea with the opening of its first location in Seoul in 2017. In 2022, Son led the development and opening of a new location in Seoul in the Hannam-dong neighborhood of the city, where the gallery is currently based, designed by the award-winning firm Society of Architecture (SoA). Furthermore, Son has introduced a number of pioneering Korean artists to Lehmann Maupin’s growing roster—most recently Seung Neung Kyung in 2023 and Kim Yun Shin in 2024—and oversaw the debut of solo exhibitions in South Korea at Lehmann Maupin by keystone gallery artists like Lari Pittman, Nari Ward, and (forthcoming in August 2025) Teresita Fernández. Son has also fostered the gallery’s long-term relationships with Korean artists such as Do Ho Suh, who has been represented by Lehmann Maupin for over two decades.
Son first joined Lehmann Maupin in 2017 after more than 20 years as both a curator and gallerist in Seoul, bringing with her an established collector and curator base. Before Lehmann Maupin, she worked at Kukje Gallery for many years, then founded her own Gallery EM in 2007. Her expanded role as Partner recognizes her leadership in overseeing Lehmann Maupin’s successful expansion in South Korea.
“Emma has been an integral part of our success in Asia over the years,” shares Rachel Lehmann. “Her longstanding connections with Korean institutions, artists, and collectors have contributed significantly to the growth of our gallery in Seoul. Her new role solidifies our commitment to South Korea as a key region for our business and artists.”
Son says, “It has been a true honor to lead Lehmann Maupin’s efforts in South Korea. David and Rachel were ahead of the curve when they decided to open an international outpost in Seoul nearly a decade ago, and I am thrilled to help further their vision. Home to many world-class artists, private collections, and museums, the art market in Seoul continues to thrive and grow; I look forward to leveraging my experience to shape the future of the gallery’s program in Korea and beyond.”
Media Inquiries
Adriana Elgarresta, Global Director of Communications & Marketing
adriana@lehmannmaupin.com
Julie Niemi, Associate Director of Public Relations
julie@lehmannmaupin.com