Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025
4th September - 2nd November 2025 | Cheongju City, South Korea
Over its 8-week run, this much loved and internationally renowned craft biennale attracted over 400,000 national, local and international visitors. There was more to see than could possibly be achieved in one day. The Biennale itself superbly curated by Jaeyoung KANG and her team was a delight of discovery and experience. The works selected were varied, from expressions of community, examinations of traditional making and explorations into the unknown.
The international craft competition now in its 26th year under the guidance of the International Project team lead by Sora KIM presented demonstrations of the skill, imagination and thoughtfulness of the 99 selected artists.
Invited country for 2025 was Thailand, with work curated by Gridthiya GAWEEWONG. The engaging maze design by Wit PIMKANCHANAPONG encouraged visitors to pause and consider their path to each new work. In addition, the Hyundai Translocal Series, the Children’s Biennale and the results of the Kyrgyzstan residency were all a delight.
Perhaps the most extraordinary work within the whole exhibition was the Seongpa Seonye Exhibition lead by revered Ven. Seongpa, the Supreme Patriarch of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Like much good art that is drawn from life experiences and a place of meditation, this work defies photography. Nothing can prepare the visitor for the feeling of calm and peace this exhibition presents. The 100m long 3m wide Hanji paper cannot be captured by one shot - or two or three shots. It glows in the space; invites viewers in close to look at the textures and flow of the hand made paper.
The Cheongju Craft Biennale is something Korea is justifiably proud of. We remember the wonderful works and look forward to 2027 with anticipation.
Executive Chairman and Founding Director of the Asia pacific Crafts Alliance Gwangsub BYEUN has created another extraordinary experience for the people of Korea and its visitors. We are grateful to the whole team for what they bring to the world of craft.
Images by Susannah Kings-Lynne