The Canadian Pavilion at the 15th annual Gwangju Biennale in South Korea (photo courtesy of West Baffin Cooperative)
Six Inuit artists from West Baffin Cooperative and three Korean artists have been chosen to share their drawings at the 15th annual Gwangju Biennale in South Korea.
The biennale is on now through Dec. 1.
The six Kinngait artists include Saimaiyu Akesuk, Shuvinai Ashoona, Qavavau Manumie, Pitseolak Qimirpik, Ooloosie Saila and Ningiukulu Teevee. The three Korean artists are Sae-woong Ju, Joheum Lee and Seol-a Kim.
The first Canada-Korea collaboration of its kind, their work will be shown at the Canadian Pavilion and is part of the 2024-2025 Year of Cultural Exchanges between the two countries. It is the second time that West Baffin Cooperative artists have shown their work at the biennale.
Earlier in 2024, two Korean cultural delegations were hosted by the West Baffin Cooperative in Toronto, Ottawa, Iqaluit, and Kinngait. The exchanges led to the exhibition's main theme, exploring definitions of home.
“In some cases, interactions between the artists were observational, about landscape, climate, or traditional attire. Other conversations were more nuanced, about linguistics and speculations around ancient Asia-Arctic migration,” according to the news release.
“There were also intimate moments between the two groups, including demonstrations of identity through cuisine; exchanges of maktaaq and kimchi, palauga and soju. There were also political discussions about the still complex and often strained relationship between the Government of Canada and Inuit people and those paralleled histories in Korea.”
Seventy-two artists from 30 countries have gathered for the 15th Gwangju Biennale, the biennale's 30th anniversary. ■
The 15th Gwangju Biennale is on now through Dec. 1 in South Korea and features the work of six Inuit artists from Kinngait and the West Baffin Cooperative
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