# Gwangju Biennale faces artist withdrawals over naming row

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/taiwan-gwangju-biennale-naming-dispute
> Updated: 2026-09-03T01:57:00.000Z. Sources: 19. Developments: 4.

The dispute over the naming of the ‘Taiwan Pavilion’ at the 16th Gwangju Biennale has escalated into a significant disruption of the event. The conflict began when the Gwangju Biennale Foundation changed the designation from ‘Taiwan Pavilion’ to ‘NTMoFA’ (National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts), a move Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture claimed violated an April contract and constituted political censorship.

While the foundation eventually agreed to restore the original name, the decision drew criticism from the Chinese Ambassador to South Korea. Gwangju Metropolitan City issued an official apology, attributing the escalation to insufficient communication between the Biennale Foundation and participating institutions. The city clarified that the use of ‘Taiwan Pavilion’ is intended as an artistic expression rather than official state recognition, reaffirming its respect for the ‘One China’ principle in accordance with South Korean foreign policy.

In response to the naming reversal, the situation has intensified with 19 Chinese artists announcing a unanimous decision to withdraw from the Biennale. These artists stated that the name choice allows political elements to interfere with the realm of art and protested the perceived infringement on the ‘One China’ principle.

The fallout has extended into broader regional diplomacy. A delegation from the Guangzhou City People's Congress Standing Committee cancelled a scheduled visit to Gwangju, and Zhoushan City has withdrawn its participation from the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has clarified that the naming dispute is a private sector decision and does not reflect the government's official stance on Taiwan.

## Claims

- The dispute is an administrative difference regarding participant classification and naming conventions. (disputed by 3 sources)
- The artists and curator accused the foundation of censorship driven by diplomatic pressure and economic resources. (disputed by 2 sources)
- The Chinese exhibition team has unanimously decided to withdraw from the Gwangju Biennale. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Curator Ruan Yuelai stated that political factors have intervened in the domain of art due to the naming controversy. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- The Gwangju Biennale Foundation reinstated the ‘Taiwan Pavilion’ name on August 26 after initial resistance. (corroborated by 4 sources)
- A delegation from the Guangzhou City People's Congress Standing Committee cancelled a scheduled visit to Gwangju. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Zhoushan City, China, notified organizers that it will not operate a promotional pavilion at the 2026 Yeosu World Island Expo. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the naming issue is a private sector decision and unrelated to government policy. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Chinese Embassy in South Korea stated that using the ‘Taiwan’ name violates the ‘One China’ principle. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The 16th Gwangju Biennale is scheduled to run from September 5 to November 15. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The exhibition proposal was approved as the 'Taiwan Pavilion' on April 2. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The foundation began referring to the exhibition as the 'NTMoFA Pavilion' in June. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-03: Gwangju Biennale faces diplomatic row over Taiwan Pavilion naming

The Gwangju Biennale faces diplomatic tension as Chinese artists withdraw in protest of the reinstated ‘Taiwan Pavilion’ name, leading to cancelled regional diplomatic visits and international event withdrawals

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gwangju-biennale-faces-artist-withdrawals-over-taiwan-pavilion-naming-dispute

### 2026-08-31: Gwangju Metropolitan City apologizes for Taiwan Pavilion naming controversy

Gwangju Metropolitan City apologized for the 'Taiwan Pavilion' naming controversy at the Gwangju Biennale, reaffirming respect for the 'One China' principle while addressing communication failures.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gwangju-metropolitan-city-apologizes-for-taiwan-pavilion-naming-controversy

### 2026-08-20: Gwangju Biennale faces censorship claims over Taiwan pavilion name change

The Gwangju Biennale is embroiled in a dispute after renaming the 'Taiwan Pavilion' to 'NTMoFA Pavilion,' sparking censorship accusations from Taiwanese officials and artists.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gwangju-biennale-faces-censorship-claims-over-taiwan-pavilion-name-change

### 2026-08-17: Taiwan protests Gwangju Biennale name change of Taiwan Pavilion

Taiwan's Ministry of Culture is protesting the Gwangju Biennale Foundation's decision to rename the “Taiwan Pavilion” to “NTMoFA,” calling it a breach of contract and a violation of democratic values.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/taiwan-protests-gwangju-biennale-name-change-of-taiwan-pavilion

---
Cite as: Gwangju Biennale faces artist withdrawals over naming row. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/taiwan-gwangju-biennale-naming-dispute