Chinese Artists Withdraw from Gwangju Biennale Over Taiwan Pavilion Naming

Chinese artists have withdrawn from the 16th Gwangju Biennale in South Korea after organizers approved the use of the name Taiwan Pavilion for an exhibition featuring the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts (NTMoFA). The dispute began when organizers initially agreed to the name Taiwan Pavilion but later changed it to NTMoFA Pavilion. Taiwanese artists and the culture ministry protested the change, with some artists describing the move as political censorship. The Gwangju Biennale Foundation eventually reversed its decision and restored the original name.

China, which views Taiwan as part of its own territory under the one China principle, responded with a formal expression of regret and concern. The Chinese consulate general in Gwangju stated that the naming was inconsistent with Taiwan's status and violated the one China principle. In response, artists representing the China Pavilion halted installation work and formally withdrew from the event. South Korea's foreign ministry stated that the decision was made within the cultural and artistic sphere and does not change the government's basic position regarding Taiwan.

The Taiwan Pavilion opened on Saturday with an exhibition titled Instance Dungeons: Gray Zone, which explores geopolitical tensions. Chen Kuang-Yi, director of the NTMoFA, noted the significance of using the original name in a city known for its spirit of human rights. Biennale organizers expressed hope that the Chinese artists will return.