OCAD U hosts Korean artists for cultural exchange

This fall, OCAD University is welcoming a group of leading Korean artists as part of a new cultural exchange program that will introduce students to Korean contemporary artistic practices and foster long-term relationships between Canadian and Korean creative communities.

The initiative, Art in Context: Contemporary Practice, Cultural Dialogue & the Gwangju Biennale, is part of a broader international collaboration connected to OCAD U’s curation of the exhibition, Skennen'kó:wa ken? (Do You Carry Great Peace?), in the Canada Pavilion at the 2026 Gwangju Biennale.

By bringing Korean artists to Toronto and having OCAD U students travel to South Korea, the program is creating a two-way exchange — one that demonstrates the power of art and design to connect people, challenge perspectives and open new possibilities for collaboration.

The program is not only an international study experience, but it is an opportunity to build and strengthen lasting relationships between Canadian and Korean creative communities. By engaging directly with artists and cultural institutions, students will gain a deeper understanding of contemporary artistic practice and the different ways culture shapes creative expression.

For OCAD U, the initiative reflects the University’s broader commitment to international collaboration and to preparing students to work across cultural and geographic boundaries.

From Sept. 28 to Oct. 5, visiting Korean artists and a curatorwill be in Toronto fora series of public programs, including conversations, artist talks, and the exhibition, Tomorrow’s Memories, Mudeung’s Aurora at 401 Richmond.

Among the activities is a panel discussion on October 1 with visiting Korean artists, Seol-a Kim and Saewoong Ju, and Lee Sun, chief curator of Lee KangHa Art Museum. Lee is the Korean partner curator for the Skennen'kó:wa ken? (Do You Carry Great Peace?) exhibition now on display at the Gwangju Biennale. 

Participating OCAD U students will travel to South Korea from Oct. 10 to 17. Beginning in Seoul, they will visit museums and cultural sites, engage with artists and academic partners, and explore contemporary art and design practices before travelling to Gwangju.

While in Gwangju, they will attend Gwangju Biennale, including visiting the Canada Pavilion where the exhibition, “Skennen'kó:wa ken? (Do You Carry Great Peace)?” curated by Ryan Rice with Lee Sun, is on display. This exhibition features works by alum-artists Hannah Claus, Melissa General and Shelley Niro. OCAD U is presenting Canada’s Pavilion at the biennale.

Throughout the program, students will meet artists, curators, and members of local creative communities; visit museums, archives, and cultural sites; and participate in artist-led talks and experiential learning opportunities that explore contemporary art, cultural dialogue, and creative practice in South Korea.