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Indigenous Voices Take Center Stage at the 2026 Gwangju Biennale

The Kanien'kehá:ka-led exhibition Skennen'kó:wa ken? (Do You Carry Great Peace?) opens tomorrow at the Lee KangHa Art Museum in South Korea. Curated by OCAD University’s Ryan Rice, the pavilion showcases interdisciplinary works by Shelley Niro, Melissa General, and Hannah Claus as part of the 2026 Gwangju Biennale.

Indigenous Voices Take Center Stage at the 2026 Gwangju Biennale

The exhibition serves as a centerpiece for the Canada Pavilion, aligning with the Biennale’s overarching theme, You Must Change Your Life. By centering the political and spiritual roles of Haudenosaunee women, the show explores concepts of rematriation and self-governance. The artists utilize photography, video, and installation to bridge Kanien'kehá:ka teachings with the historical context of Gwangju, a city defined by its legacy of democratic resistance.

Ryan Rice notes that the curatorial premise reflects a generational duty of peace, mirroring the Biennale's focus on quiet, continuous transformation within daily life. This presentation arrives ahead of OCAD University’s 150th-anniversary celebrations in October, marking a significant moment for the institution’s role in international art discourse. The collaboration with the Lee KangHa Art Museum—a site dedicated to the legacy of artist and activist Lee KangHa—further strengthens the cultural dialogue between Canada and Korea, moving beyond traditional exhibition boundaries to foster a shared space for artistic exchange.

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