The Gwangju Biennale
Foundation hereby clarifies the facts and operating principles concerning the
recent discussion over the naming of the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts
(NTMoFA) Pavilion. NTMoFA signed as an
institutional participant Gwangju Biennale categorizes
Pavilion participants as either national pavilions or institutional pavilions.
Institutions participating as national pavilions are required to submit an
official letter of approval for national-pavilion participation issued by the
relevant embassy or ministry of culture. NTMoFA proceeded with its
participation as an institution and entered into an exhibition agreement with
the Gwangju Biennale Foundation in that capacity on January 12, 2026.
Accordingly, the Foundation has identified the pavilion by its institutional
name. This year’s Gwangju Biennale
Pavilion project brings together 16 national pavilions and 11 institutional
participants, with one institution presenting two pavilions, for a total of 28
pavilions. Official posters and
promotional materials include both country names and institutional names,
according to the type of participant; this reflects the project’s operating
structure, in which national and institutional pavilions operate concurrently. Commitment to exhibition
autonomy Claims of “political
censorship” concerning the NTMoFA Pavilion have recently circulated on social
media. However, Gwangju Biennale respects the freedom of artistic creation and
the independent operation of every voluntarily participating pavilion, and does
not intervene in or censor exhibition planning or content. This matter does not concern
the content of an exhibition or freedom of expression. It arises from an
administrative difference concerning participant classification and naming
conventions. Framing or disseminating the matter as an act of censorship by the
Foundation may cause serious concern for the reputation and trust of not only
the Gwangju Biennale Foundation, but also the countries and institutions
participating in the Pavilion project. Grounded in the Gwangju
Spirit and its values of democracy and freedom of expression, Gwangju Biennale
has supported a platform where diverse contemporary issues and voices can be
freely discussed through art. A voluntary international
collaboration platform The Gwangju Biennale
Pavilion project is operated separately from the main exhibition of the 16th
Gwangju Biennale. It is an international cultural exchange platform through
which domestic and international countries, cultural and arts institutions,
cities, and curators voluntarily propose exhibitions and organize them in
consultation with diverse venues across Gwangju. The Pavilion project began
in 2018 with the participation of three institutions. In 2024, it expanded to
31 pavilions involving 22 national pavilions and nine institutions and cities.
Through this project, which brings together countries, institutions, cities,
and independent cultural and arts practitioners, Gwangju Biennale has expanded
Gwangju’s role as a site for contemporary art and international cultural
exchange. The Gwangju Biennale
Foundation will continue to respect the autonomy of all participants and
operate the Pavilion project fairly, in accordance with its agreements and
procedures. The Foundation also hopes that this matter will be discussed with
the participating institution in a constructive and collaborative manner, based
on the facts. | 
