Chennai biennial final catalogue
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celebrating the 50th anniversary
of Indo-Korean relations.
Biennial
CHENNAI
2024
Confluence:
15.3.2024 - 26.3.2024
Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai, India.
15.3.2024 - 26.3.2024
Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai, India.
celebrating the 50th anniversary
of Indo-Korean relations.
Biennial
CHENNAI
2024
Confluence:
GREETINGS
Co-President of
Korea-India Cultural Exchange
Subul Sunim
It’s a good nidana. I sincerely congratulate the inauguration of '2024 Chennai
Biennial' with the 25 Indian and 25 Korean contemporary artists. I also extend
the profound appreciation to Lalit Kala Akademi, InKo Centre and K-Art for
arranging this exhibition. With this continuous biannual exhibition, the Korean
and Indian artists could communicate their artistic inspiration and modern
sensibility, so I highly evaluate its great contribution on the cultural exchange
between the two countries. Chennai has a long relationship with Korea as the
spot of Ayodhya kingdom, where the empress Heo came from, who is the
ancestor of Gimhae Kim. It is also where the Bodhidharma came from, founder
of Zen Buddhism, the essence of human spiritual heritage, such a very friendly
place for Koreans. I especially extend the gratitude to Mr. Srinivasan, the
chairman of TVS, for showing the deep friendship and goodwill. He conferred
an Honorary Citizen of Busan City and also as the Korean Honorary Consul in
Chennai, I specially grateful to him about founding the InKo Center, and has
been operating it, the cultural bridge of India and Korea. Chennai seemed very
peaceful since the city was forested, less high-rise buildings, and the streets were
full of motorcycles which impressed me. I strongly thought now is the time for
India to emerge again with the spirit of ancient times and modern civilization
meet each other. Taking this contemporary Korean art exhibition as a link, I wish
Chennai citizens could enjoy the beauty of the neighboring Korean
contemporary arts and moreover, the cultural exchanges between the two
countries could be enlarged. Lastly, I pray for the all visitors of 2024 Chennai
Biennial to be healthy and full of bless in their household.
Thank you.
04
Chairman Emeritus, TVS Motor Company.
Chairman, InKo Centre.
Goodwill Envoy for Culture & Diplomacy of the
Republic of Korea.
Venu Srinivasan
I am delighted to note that the fifth edition of the Chennai Biennial, presenting a
wide spectrum of paintings, will open at the Lalit Kala Akademi, Chennai on 15
March 2024. This year, the format includes contemporary painters from India
and Korea- 25 from each country- to aptly commemorate the 50th anniversary
of Indo-Korean relations.
This series of exhibitions, co-presented by K-Art International Exchange
Association and lnKo Centre, with a host of partners, provides a unique platform
for art collectors and art aficionados to view a vast cross-section of quality
contemporary art even while it provides the artistic community in Korea and in
India with an opportunity to share best practices and to interact and network
effectively.
As Chairman of lnKo Centre, the lndo-Korean Cultural and Information Centre,
in India, which was set up in 2006 with support from TVS Motor Company and
Hyundai Motor India Limited, to promote a meaningful intercultural interaction
between artists and cultural organizations in Korea and India, I wholeheartedly
commend this initiative which will help strengthen and sustain this dialogue
immeasurably. K-Art is a valuable partner of lnKo Centre, co-presenting some of
the largest expositions of contemporary Korean artworks in India as well as
several small-scale exhibitions on a regular basis. I applaud this partnership that
has ably ensured very high visibility for Korean art in India and has opened up
similar opportunities to promote Indian art in Korea.
May I take this opportunity to congratulate the organizers of the fifth edition of
the Chennai Biennial and to wish this forthcoming edition, every success.
Thank you.
05
Chancellor, Jeju National University
Kim, Eel-hwan
Congratulations on the hosting of the "2024 Chennai Biennial." I extend sincere
congratulations to everyone participating in this biennial organized by the
InKoCenter and the K-Art International Exchange Association. In particular, I
express deep gratitude to Chairman Srinivasan for planning this excellent event.
It is an honor to be part of this special moment where art and culture converge
to create. Art bestows deep emotions and inspiration upon our lives,
transcending language to communicate our emotions and thoughts, serving as a
bridge to integrate cultures and respect diversity. This biennial is a unique space
where artists from around the world come together, exchange, and
communicate through the power of art.
Jeju National University embraces an open-minded approach to culture and art
as a hub of international scholarship. We strive to enhance mutual understanding
through various cultural and artistic activities with different parts of the world.
Being with you at this special biennial is both a great joy and an honor. I anticipate
that the magic of art will unite us and bring forth new perspectives and
experiences. I look forward to challenging new adventures in the world of art
with you and celebrating and sharing the diversity of cultures.
Once again, I express my gratitude, and I hope that everyone attending the
exhibition will enjoy and appreciate it.
Thank you.
06
President of Organizing Committee
Yeo Yejin
Hello to all Chennai citizens who love art.
And also hello to all the Korean and Indian political and business circles who
actively support art and culture. In 2013, with the active support of TVS Group,
the 1st Chennai Chamber Biennial was co-hosted by the Lalit Kala Akademi,
InkoCentre, and K-Art at the Lalit Kala Akademi exhibition hall in Chennai. Now,
it is 5th exhibition under the name Chennai Biennial.
The Chennai Biennial was jointly planned and hosted by Lalit Kala Akademi,
InkoCentre, and K-Art International Exchange Association. Until now, it has
been difficult to find exhibitions introducing modern Korean art on a large scale
in India, so Chennai Biennial has been an important exhibition for Indian artists
and critics to study Korean contemporary art. It was heartbroken that we were
not able to exhibit together with Indian artists until now, but we are very excited
that artists from both countries will be exhibiting together from now on.
India and Korea have had close historical and cultural exchanges, and today we
are carrying on that spirit and carrying out meaningful art exchanges. This is the
greatest significance of Indian and Korean artists meeting here and holding
Biennial. We hope that the Chennai Biennial held today will continue to be held
and contribute to the cultural development of both countries.
Congratulations to the artists of both countries.
Thank you.
07
K-Art International Exchange Association,
Chairperson
Heo, Sook
My fellow Chennai citizens and the artists
The 5th Chennai Biennial, titled "Confluence" , is presented with support of art lovers,
TVS Motors Company, InKo Centre and Lalit Kala Akademi.
For this year’s exhibition, a total of 50 contemporary artists from two Countries - 25
Korean artists and 25 Indian artists exhibit 50 artworks.
K-Art International Exchange Association is promoting overseas expansion projects for
Korean artists, and for this purpose, many international art-related organizations were
invited to organize several events to shed new light on each and every one of our artists.
Along with the artistic event we present, cultural exchanges that contribute greatly to the
understanding between nations and promote a friendly cooperation between artistic
networks and the public as well. Also, as this year marks the 50th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and India, this exhibition connects
Korea and India culturally again and promises to deepen the infinite relationship between
the two countries.
Based on the trust relationship begun with art, K-Art always try our best to bring good
results by supporting the exchange of artists and also the mecenat enterprise from both
countries.
The art as an artistic infrastructure in our society has its own distinctive value and
moreover, it has the power to overcome each one’s limit of understanding.
I know well that the fifth Chennai Biennial was able to be held because of the warm
support by Subul sunim and Mr. Srinivasan, the Co-President of Korea-India Cultural
Exchange. Thus, I would like to give a special thanks to the two and also InKo Centre,
the best partner for K-art which had helped us in many ways.
Dear Chennai citizens and the artists,
Due to your supports, I surely want to say thank you that K-ART has been able to make
greater artistic, cultural achievements.
Thank you.
08
We have over the years, with the support of partner organisations such as K-Art
International Exchange Association, presented several small and large-scale exhibitions
to showcase talented artists from both countries. With the pandemic raging and
physical exhibition spaces closed in 2020/21, we migrated to presenting work online
with commissioned exhibitions showcased at Prism, InKo Centre’s boundless online
gallery. The commissioned exhibitions presented at Prism, celebrated the creative
courage of artists whose art practices represented the inherent transformative and
restorative power of art particularly in challenging times. Since 2023, we have
transitioned back to presenting exhibitions on-site with select extensions online.
The Chennai Biennial is a series of curated, bi-annual exhibitions presented in Chennai,
India, that aim to showcase the range and variety of contemporary paintings from
Korea. The 2024 edition, titled Confluence, is the fifth in the series and includes a
curated section of contemporary Indian paintings as well. The fifth edition of the
Chennai Biennial presents a focused collection of 50 contemporary artworks from
Korea and India. Two separate works by the 25 Korean and 25 Indian artists selected,
were also showcased at exhibitions in Jeju Island and at The Busan International Art Fair
in Korea in December 2023. The exhibitions in Jeju. Busan and Chennai, collectively
celebrate the 50th anniversary of Indo-Korean relations and the importance of this
vital, ongoing intercultural dialogue.
This exhibition pays tribute to multiple perspectives and visual vocabularies celebrating
the resilience of art itself, as a reservoir for both reflection and rejuvenation. The
Kiresmnsection of this exhibition is curated by an artist of western painting & Critic, Kim
Injun and the Indian section is curated by art historian, author, academician and
independent curator, Dr Ashrafi S. Bhagat. Their sensitive selection has resulted in a
wonderful cross-sectional representation of some of the most promising talent
amongst contemporary painters in Korea and India today.
Our grateful thanks to the 50 artists for so generously sharing their work. Our sincere
thanks to our valued partner, K-Art International Artist Exchange Association for
co-presenting this exhibition with us and to all other partners for their timely support.
We hope that this is exhibition fosters artistic exchange of best practices, strengthening
networks and deepening partnerships between our two ancient yet modern
countries. This exhibition celebrates a very special milestone in our vitao intercultural
dialogue - the 50th anniversary of Indo-Korean relations. As the Indo-Korean Cultural
Centre in India, engaged in meaningfully promoting and strengthening artistic ties
between India and Korea, we are confident that such exhibitions will enhance the
Indo-Korean dialogue immeasurably.
Dr Rathi Jafer
Director, InKo Centre, India.
09
celebrating the 50th anniversary
of Indo-Korean relations.
Biennial
CHENNAI
2024
Confluence:
INDIA
10
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