Special Self-Governing City Apologizes for Biennale Pavilion Controversy...To Investigate Operational Issues

Acknowledging Lack of Communication Between Foundation and Participating Institutions
Review of Coordination Procedures Underway
On "Taiwan Pavilion" Naming: "Not an Official Recognition of Statehood"

The Province of Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Self-Governing City has issued an apology regarding the controversy over the naming of the pavilion at the 16th Gwangju Biennale, citing a lack of communication between the foundation and participating institutions. After the use of the "Taiwan Pavilion" name was approved, Chinese exhibition personnel withdrew in protest. The city announced that it would investigate operational issues in the event's preparation process.

On August 31, the Special Self-Governing City released a statement, saying, "We apologize for the controversy caused by insufficient communication between the Gwangju Biennale and the participating institutions." The city will investigate issues that occurred during the preparation process, such as incomplete coordination procedures with partner institutions, and will take appropriate measures based on the confirmed facts. It also pledged to improve the overall operation of the pavilions to prevent recurrence.

View of the Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall. Provided by Gwangju Biennale

The city reaffirmed its respect for the "One China" principle in accordance with the Republic of Korea government's foreign policy. It explained that the "Taiwan Pavilion" title is merely an expression entrusted to participating artists in the arts sector, and that neither the Special Self-Governing City nor the Gwangju Biennale officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state. The city added that it hopes to maintain a friendly and cooperative relationship with China and expand exchanges in various fields, including culture and the economy.

The controversy originated from the name of an exhibition hosted by the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (NTMoFA). The Taiwanese side had prepared the exhibition under the name "Taiwan Pavilion," but the foundation changed the official promotional materials to read "NTMoFA Pavilion" since June, leading to resistance from the Taiwanese side.

The two sides offered differing explanations for the change in name. The foundation stated that, on January 12, it agreed with the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts that it would participate as an institutional, not a national, pavilion, and thus it used the institution's name. It also described the issue as an administrative and contractual matter unrelated to exhibition content or artistic freedom.

On the other hand, Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts insisted that they submitted their proposal with the "Taiwan Pavilion" title from the planning stage and that related documents approved on April 2 also bore that name. Taiwanese curators and participating artists released a statement on August 15 opposing the removal of "Taiwan" from the name without their consent.

Artists and curators participating in the main exhibition and various pavilions also issued an open letter calling for the restoration of the original name. During the ongoing controversy, the setup of the Taiwanese exhibition space at the Asia Culture Center (ACC) was halted for some time.

On August 25, the foundation approved the use of the "Taiwan Pavilion" name following discussions with Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture. The process was completed when the Ministry sent official documentation stating that the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts would participate under that name as Taiwan's representative. The ACC also notified the museum that it could begin installation work at the venue starting August 27.

Afterward, the Chinese side protested. On August 27, Chinese Ambassador to Korea Xing Haiming and Chinese Consul General in Gwangju Gu Jingqi met with Min Hyungbae, Governor of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Self-Governing City, to express their regret and concern over the approval of the name. Governor Min reportedly replied that political considerations should not affect the arts sector.

On the following day, August 28, Chinese pavilion curators and installation staff ceased work and withdrew from the Gwangju Hajungwoong Art Museum, the exhibition venue. At the time, the Chinese artists themselves had not yet entered Korea.

The Gwangju Biennale pavilion program consists of exhibitions organized by domestic and overseas art and cultural institutions at various locations throughout the city, independent from the main exhibition. This year, there are 16 national pavilions and 11 institutional pavilions. This marks the first time both China and Taiwan are participating simultaneously.

The 16th Gwangju Biennale will take place over 72 days, from September 5 to November 15, 2026. Singaporean artist Ho Tzu Nyen is serving as artistic director, and 43 artists (or artist teams) will participate in the main exhibition under the theme "You Must Change Your Life."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.