The Nation's First and World's Only 'Jeonnam International Sumukh Biennale' Embarks on a 61-Day Journey

19 Countries' Artists Present Over 350 Works... Diverse Events Including Children's Ink Painting Festival

The 2023 Jeonnam International Sumukh Biennale, the first of its kind in Korea and the only one in the world, began its two-month grand journey with an opening ceremony held on the 1st at the Mokpo Culture and Arts Center.

The opening ceremony was attended by Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeonnam Province; Seo Dong-wook, Chairman of the Jeonnam Provincial Council; Kim Dae-jung, Superintendent of Jeonnam Provincial Office of Education; Lee Beom-heon, President of the Korean Federation of Artistic & Cultural Organizations; Choi Soon-mo, President of the National Honam Hometown Association; Pekka Mets?, Ambassador of Finland to Korea; diplomatic corps from 16 countries stationed in Korea; participating artists; invited residents; and about 1,000 guests from home and abroad.

Following Governor Kim’s welcoming remarks and opening declaration, congratulatory messages were delivered by National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo and National Assembly member Kim Won-i, followed by a progress report and introduction of participating artists by General Director Lee Geon-su, and the opening tape-cutting ceremony.

At the opening ceremony, visitors were treated to a unique spectacle with a dynamic and dazzling fashion show blending traditional ink wash painting and modern design, created by designer Kim Ri-eul, the costume partner of BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan). The event concluded joyfully with a congratulatory performance by promotional ambassador Song Ga-in.

Governor Kim said, “The Sumukh Biennale, a representative cultural and artistic festival of Korea, will present a high-quality exhibition that harmonizes Eastern and Western aesthetics. We hope you enjoy the beautiful feast of ink wash painting where tradition and modernity, past and future coexist.”

National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo, in a congratulatory video, stated, “Interest in Sumukh painting, a cultural heritage of our people characterized by the exquisite restraint created through blank space and lines, is growing both domestically and internationally. We look forward to the exquisite ensemble of traditional and contemporary Sumukh.”

Marking its third edition this year, the Jeonnam International Sumukh Biennale is held under the theme “The Dyeing Mountain, the Stopped Water ? in Sublime Harmony” until October 31 across Jeonnam, including Mokpo City and Jindo County.

This biennale features over 350 works by about 190 renowned artists from 19 countries, with the main exhibitions held at six venues in Mokpo and Jindo. Special exhibitions are held in Suncheon, Gwangyang, and Haenam, and commemorative exhibitions take place at 18 venues across 14 cities and counties, allowing visitors to enjoy the feast of Sumukh anywhere in Jeonnam.

To increase interest among future generations and foster empathy for Sumukh, new events such as the “University Sumukh Festival” and “Children’s Sumukh Festival” are also introduced.

Additionally, aiming for diversification, resource development, and internationalization of Sumukh, a variety of programs such as artist talks and Sumukh concerts are organized to make the festival enjoyable for people of all ages. Easy and entertaining exhibition interpretation services are also provided to lower the barrier to the genre of Sumukh and help visitors feel familiar with the artworks.

In particular, beyond the exhibitions, utmost priority is given to safety, with meticulous preparations for traffic, quarantine, and safety measures to welcome visitors.

Expectations are high that the Jeonnam International Sumukh Biennale will rise beyond Korea to become a new K-culture, and interest in the feast of Sumukh this fall is anticipated to be intense.

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