Often found at theaters and museums, Kwon Mee-yoo has covered a wide range of cultural fields from K-pop and dramas to theater and fine art for over a decade. Now as K-Culture Desk editor, she tries to connect Korean culture with global readers through fresh perspectives.
Artists present anti-war pieces in support of Ukraine
The “Slava Ukraine” exhibition held at 4log Artspace in southeastern Seoul supports Ukraine through art. Courtesy of 4log Artspace
By Kwon Mee-yoo
By Kwon Mee-yoo
From concerts and exhibitions to protests for peace, Koreans have been showing a great deal of support for Ukraine amid Russia's invasion.
Some 40 artists and groups teamed up for the "Slava Ukraine" exhibition in support of Ukraine. Held at the 4log Artspace in southeastern Seoul, the display runs until April 16 and aims to show solidarity with Ukraine by protesting against violence in an artistic way.
"After the Russia-Ukraine War began, I personally campaigned against war by conveying the disaster of the war through social media. As I looked for more active ways to support Ukraine, I thought of hosting an exhibition since I am a curator and artist," Kim Hye-jin, a curator who organized the exhibit independently, told The Korea Times via email.
"My grandfather is a Korean War veteran, who died during the war, and it made me sympathize more with Ukrainians suffering from the war."
Korean and international artists from Germany, India, Japan and Peru present a wide range of works with an anti-war theme and art pieces that are in the colors of blue and yellow to show solidarity with Ukraine. One of the notable works is "Kiss of Victory" by Mariia Chernozhukova, a Ukrainian artist based in Korea, evoking memories of Ukraine, which has endured over a month of Russia's invasion.
"When I contacted the artists, most of them were appreciative for the opportunity to support Ukraine through art," Kim said.
"Many people who heard of the exhibit are purchasing the art in order to support Ukraine. I hope more people visit the exhibition, empathize with Ukraine and participate in fundraising for Ukraine.”
The Ukrainian Embassy in Seoul provided photos and videos of the country on Kim's request, and Kim displayed the photos along with the art at the gallery in order to give a glimpse into the horrors of war.
"In support of Ukraine, the full amount of the sales of the exhibit will be donated to Ukraine through the embassy," Kim said.
Curator Kim Hye-jin, right, gives a tour of the exhibition to artist Mariia Chernozhukova, left, and Yulia Kaplan, center, third secretary at the Embassy of Ukraine in Korea, at the “Slava Ukraine” exhibition held at 4log Artspace in southeastern Seoul. Courtesy of 4log Artspace
Grateful for Korea's support
Ukrainian Ambassador to Korea Dmytro Ponomarenko said he is truly grateful for the Korean government's efforts in respecting Ukraine's sovereignty and support for a peaceful resolution of the crisis as well as the support shown by the Korean public.
"Every day we receive tokens of solidarity as well as donations both from organizations and regular people," he told The Korea Times via email, Thursday. “We are grateful for the support the Korean people have shown, they are very well aware of what it means to fight for the independence of one's beloved country.”
There have been a number of events in support of Ukraine and its people. The Seoul Pops Orchestra held a concert for peace in Ukraine with its Ukrainian member Sergiy Salo. The former students of Ukrainian jazz pianist Vadim Neselovskyi performed a street concert in front of the embassy.
"I was also inspired to see how the Koreans support our initiative to refrain from using the Russian transliteration of the names of Ukrainian cities. Surprisingly, it is been only one month and now everywhere it is Kyiv (키이우) not Kiev (키예프)," Ambassador Ponomarenko said.
For the "Slava Ukraine" exhibition, the ambassador expressed appreciation for the curator and artists' sincere approach and the solidarity that they expressed.
"I believe it is so meaningful that Korean artists united their efforts to promote awareness about the horrendous war going on in Ukraine and voice the message of kindness and hope to the world through their artworks as well as raising money for Ukraine to overcome the humanitarian crisis created by Russia," Ponomarenko said.
The ambassador said Ukraine is now at a critical juncture where it needs to defend the sovereignty of the state.
"Therefore, defense assistance is of vital importance to us. We already receive aid from our allies in the U.S., U.K., Canada, France, Germany, Sweden, Turkey, Poland and other countries. We know that Korea aspires to take its place among the world's major military powers. We wish Korean support to Ukraine in that sphere was stronger," he said.
"It is also crucial to isolate Russia economically. Ukraine asks for full-scale sanctions, such as a trade embargo on Russia, including the oil and gas sector, closure of the airspace, closure of ports for Russian ships, withdrawal of large companies and freezing Russia's assets.”
The Ukrainian ambassador concluded by saying that all measures must be taken. "Russia is denying Ukraine the right to be a state and suppressing its history and cultural heritage. So, I think it is vital to terminate all cultural cooperation with Russian cultural and media institutions that are used for propaganda or to support the war.”