34 foreign artists show off work at Yongsan Int'l Art Festival

Foreign artists pose at the opening event for the Yongsan International Art Festival in Yongsan Art Hall, Oct. 12. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Korean and foreign artists came together to display their works for the 20th Yongsan International Art Festival, held at Yongsan Art Hall in Yongsan District Office.

For this year's art exhibition, the 20th since the first one in 2004, 163 visual artists, including 34 foreign nationals residing in Korea, presented one piece each for the event, running from Oct. 10 until Oct. 20 in the central Seoul district.

At the opening ceremony held Oct. 12, artist Esther Kang, president of the Yongsan Fine Arts Association, delivered a greeting message, conveying her gratitude to government officials, participating artists and other supporters of art and culture helping to establish Yongsan as a "city of art."

“According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Seoul Plan, Yongsan District serves as the center of seven metropolitan areas mediating the three city centers, and Yongsan is an important center of Seoul where the president's office is located," she said in her address.

James Beckwith, the foreign president of the Yongsan Fine Arts Association for six years, received an award from the district office head in recognition of the contributions by the diverse group of international artists displayed.

“I am humbled and honored to serve as the foreign president of Yongsan Fine Arts Association for six amazing years, representing and supporting our diverse community," he said. "Yongsan’s uniqueness is a treasure, and it’s the incredible artists who bring it to life."

From left, Korean artist Hu In-duk, Yongsan Fine Arts Association Foreign President James Beckwith and Yongsan District head Park Hee-young pose during an opening ceremony for the Yongsan International Art Festival in Yongsan Art Hall, Oct. 12. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Yongsan International Art Festival has been gaining prominence in the Korean art sphere as well, attracting celebrated Korean artists such as visual artist Lee Bum-hun, who throughout his long career has acted as an artist, planner, director and public figure, addressing many public issues as well as acting as an art diplomat. He oversaw an art exhibition featuring artists from both Koreas as well as China and Japan for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, and has had 38 solo showcases as well as participated in 1,000 domestic and overseas special exhibitions. Currently, he is the chairman of the Federation of Artistic & Cultural Organizations of Korea, honorary chairman of the Korean Fine Arts Association Board, co-chairman of the Korean Council for Reconciliation and Cooperation and a collaboration professor at Shinhan University.

Tunisian artist Amal Jarrahi poses next to her work at the Yongsan International Art Festival in Yongsan Art Hall, Oct. 12. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

One of the participating artists is Tunisian artist Amal Jarrahi, who has been in Korea for over two years with her family in the diplomatic community.

“Today I have displayed a watercolor painting that’s a mixed painting by itself with a haiku poem on it," she said. "I am trying to find a link between painting and writing poetry. The painting represents a windmill standing still, a ship passing by, and the haiku says this was what I have been waiting for, indicating the passing of the ship."

Brazilian photographer Gil Nunes poses in front of his photo displayed at the Yongsan International Art Festival in Yongsan Art Hall, Oct. 12. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Brazilian photographer, fashion model and Seoul Community Radio DJ Gil Nunes is displaying a cityscape photograph he took in Yongsan District.

“It is an interesting and exciting adventure full of surprises and unknown things happening," he said. "Mostly my focus of photography is landscape and cityscape as well as products. I am honored to be part of the exhibition, and really feel welcomed, where many Korean artists show beautiful artworks and mingle with foreigners like me."

Colombian mixed media artist Ginna Gonzalez presented one of her surrealistic paintings.

“As a full-time artist myself, I am always excited getting to know new artists, as it's always the case here," said Gonzalez, who has lived here for 10 years. "It is a nice place for sharing what we do in our artistic pursuit and meeting foreign and Korean artists. It is very hard to find big places like this for foreign artists in Seoul. It would be nice if we get such opportunities quite often to show our artworks to the public."

Thai artist Metavee Choi poses with her painting, lower right, on display at the Yongsan International Art Festival in Yongsan Art Hall, Oct. 12. Courtesy of Bereket Alemayehu

Bereket Alemayehu is an Ethiopian photo artist, social activist and writer based in Seoul. He's also co-founder of Hanokers, a refugee-led social initiative, and freelance contributor for Pressenza Press Agency.