China Pulls Artists from Gwangju Biennale as ‘Taiwan Pavilion’ Moves Forward
China has ordered its artists to withdraw from the 16th Gwangju Biennale, which opens September 5, after the Gwangju Biennial Foundation (GBF) allowed Taiwanese exhibitors to participate under the name “Taiwan,” South Korean media reported. Chinese Ambassador Dai Bing conveyed “regret and concern” in a meeting with Gwangju Mayor Min Hyung-bae and demanded Chinese curators and installation staff halt preparations for a special exhibition at the Hajeongung Art Museum. The dispute follows more than a year of controversy over GBF renaming a satellite show from “Taiwan Pavilion” to “NTMoFA Pavilion,” which Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture called “political censorship” in an August 15 statement; GBF denied acting to appease Beijing. GBF announced Tuesday that the exhibition may proceed as the “Taiwan Pavilion” and said it is monitoring the situation closely with little time remaining before the September 5 opening.
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This story was covered in Museum Scandals, Censorship Clashes, and a Stolen Jewel