OCAD University Presents Canada's Pavilion at the 2026 Gwangju Biennale
"Skennen'kó:wa ken? (Do You Carry Great Peace?)" is on until November 15, 2026.
OCAD University has selected Canada as the host for its Pavilion at the 2026 Gwangju Biennale, featuring the provocative exhibition, Skennen kó:wa ken? (Do You Carry Great Peace?). Curated by Ryan Rice, the exhibition opens September 5 and is co-curated by Lee Sun from the Lee KangHa Art Museum in Korea. This collaborative effort receives support from Onsite Gallery, the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea, and is generously sponsored by David Binet.
At the core of the exhibition are three Kanien kehá:ka contemporary artists - Hannah Claus, Melissa General, and Shelley Niro. Their work is rooted in the Kanien’kehá:ka philosophy of peace, embodied in the daily greeting that inspired the exhibition's name. This greeting, a declaration of mutual recognition and respect, underscores a core value of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, a democracy older than any Western nation.
The pavilion highlights the essential roles of Haudenosaunee women, focusing on rematriation - the Indigenous practice of restoring spiritual ties to ancestral lands, waters, and cultural knowledge. Through contemporary artistic expression, the exhibition delves into themes of continuity and self-governance within the Haudenosaunee worldview and explores its resonance with global justice movements.
Rooted in Gwangju’s legacy of democratic resistance, the exhibition encourages dialogue between Indigenous governance concepts, Haudenosaunee beliefs, and international justice initiatives. For more information, visit ocadu.ca.
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