Yunju Kim-Shin, We
Dream of An Oak Revolution, 2020-2022 ©Gwangju Biennale“Equity:
Peaceful Strain,” the inaugural exhibition of the Gwangju Pavilion at the 15th
Gwangju Biennale, is on view at the Gwangju Museum of Art until December 1. The exhibition begins by
emphasizing that the concept of “equity” is central to understanding Gwangju’s
locality and past.
The
exhibition aims to honor the pain of the May 18 Uprising in Gwangju and seeks
ways to give this concept a contemporary relevance. However, it also explores
whether the idea of “equity” can extend beyond a city and specific event,
becoming a meaningful stance that resonates with diverse communities worldwide.
This requires a forward-looking perspective.
The
planning process acknowledges that the memory of May in Gwangju can foster
solidarity not only among those who experienced it but also among those who did
not, and with numerous communities beyond Gwangju. The participating artists
and works explore both the historical significance and the public potential of
invisibility, responding empathetically and non-verbally to the needs and
questions of a rapidly evolving society.
The
exhibition emphasizes the value of “equity” not just as a singular
representation but as an ongoing, actively practiced concept in contemporary
contexts.
It is
organized around three keywords: “Innovative Solidarity,” “Creative
Resistance,” and “Sustainable Justice.” This structure integrates visual art
with collaborative projects, media engagements, alternative archives, community
interviews, and discussions with future generations, creating a topological
field.
The
participating artists are Yunju Kim-Shin, Woong-hyun Kim, Hyun Na, Philyong
Song, Heejeong An, Jieun Yang, Jong-Tae Oh, Junyeong Yoon, Kangha Lee, Sehyun
Lee, Subeom Lim, Jongwan Jang, Hanna Chang, Hyeonjun Jung, Jeongtae Cho,
Chongwoon Choi, Seungwan Ha, and Yang Ah Ham.
