Transitions: When Art Crosses Borders – An Art Exhibition for Togetherness

By Luis Andrés

From October 16 to November 2, the Soam Art Museum in Gwangju hosted the exhibition titled Transition (전환/轉換). It showcased artwork by student artists from Chonnam National University (CNU) and their professors. The exhibition featured creators from various countries and generations, including Korea, China, Colombia, and Kazakhstan.

The goal, as described by the museum’s director, Yang Dong-ho, andtheheadof CNU’s Department of Western Art, Kim Byung-taek, was to promote communication and understanding between art, society, and emotion in today’s world.

However, Transition felt much more personal in the artworks themselves. It was about belonging, teamwork, and the act of expressing oneself – not just in words but in color, texture, and form. To explore this further, I spoke with two artists from the exhibition: Giselle Olaya from Colombia and Wang Shin-shin from China.

Luis Andrés: What does it mean for you to have your art displayed in a gallery like Soam?

Wang Shin-shin: I’m very grateful for this opportunity. Soam’s calm and elegant atmosphere made me proud when I saw my piece exhibited there. It made me feel part of something bigger.

Luis Andrés: What does transition mean to you, and how do you express it in your piece?

Giselle Olaya: Transition can be seen as a constant development within ourselves. It’s something that cannot be fully grasped in an instant, because it’s an endless process of change. Yet, one can make the effort to capture a single moment of it and show it to the world.

Luis Andrés: What does it mean for you to have your art displayed in a gallery like Soam?

Giselle Olaya: As a foreigner – and since this is also my first exhibition – it holds deep meaning for me. It has been a way to communicate with people beyond language, and the beginning of my journey as an artist.

The initiative to have students exhibit alongside their professors shows a genuine commitment to inclusion and cross-cultural collaboration. It welcomes international students into the professional art scene in Korea.

To me, this is the true transition: learning, working, and creating together – regardless of nationality, age, or background – because, in the end, we are all trying to understand this world together.

Cover Photo: Giselle Olaya with her piece “Breathe.” (Courtesy of Giselle Olaya)