Chinese artists pull out of Gwangju Biennale after Taiwan pavilion name restored
Chinese participants withdrew from the Gwangju Biennale after organizers reinstated the "Taiwan Pavilion" name, prompting a protest from China's consulate.
The Gwangju Biennale, one of Asia's leading contemporary art festivals, was set to open with a Pavilion Project featuring works from around the globe. Taiwanese artists objected when the exhibition's name was altered from "Taiwan Pavilion" to the acronym "NTMoFA" for the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, accusing organizers of political censorship. In response to pressure, the Biennale foundation restored the original name, prompting Chinese artists to halt preparations and ultimately withdraw from the event.
China's consulate in Gwangju labeled the use of "Taiwan" as a violation of the One China principle and demanded corrective action. South Korea's foreign ministry emphasized that the issue pertains to the cultural sphere and should not impact diplomatic ties between Seoul and Beijing. The episode highlights ongoing sensitivities surrounding Taiwan's international representation in cultural contexts.
How this was covered
- Left-leaning outlets covered this 47h later
