Do you know 'Queer Sign Language'? Queer artists create biennale-level exhibition in Bukchon

Seoul's Bukchon district is currently hosting 'Spectra Synthesis Seoul,' the nation's first major exhibition dedicated to queer art. The expansive show, co-organized by Hong Kong's Sunpride Foundation and Art Sonje Center, presents a diverse collection of works from 74 queer artists, both established and emerging.

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Sign language can be observed to have masculine expressions, for example, speaking loudly and clearly... In feminine sign language, conversely, more small and delicate sign language can be seen.

One of the featured works is Yang Seung-wook's video installation, which explores the expression of gender identity by a deaf queer youth using sign language. The piece delves into the nuances of sign language, noting how it can convey masculine or feminine expressions, and the societal pressures faced by queer individuals who deviate from perceived norms. The artist's work uses the youth's monologue and dance, responding to vibrations from music, to convey the struggles and constraints faced by minorities.

The exhibition spans multiple floors of the Art Sonje Center, including its theater and mechanical room, displaying hundreds of artworks. These range from video and painting to sculpture, photography, and installations. The collection includes pieces by internationally renowned artists like the British duo Gilbert & George and American artist Mark Bradford, alongside prominent Korean artists such as Oh In-hwan, Lee Kang-seung, and Jung Eun-young. The sheer scale and variety of the works evoke the atmosphere of a biennale.

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I have been pointed out by many deaf people around me about this part for a long time. 'Why do you, a man, sign like a woman? Are you trying to have surgery? Do you want to be like Harisu?'

Despite the exhibition's complexity, it draws viewers in with the unique perspectives and artistic sensibilities of queer artists. Works like Im Chang-gon's 'Empty Man' depict distorted figures reflecting societal pressures related to gender roles. In contrast, collaborative pieces by sculptors Yoon Jeong-ui and Park Jeong-woo, and a large-scale painting by Lee Woo-sung, focus on themes of solidarity and empathy within the queer community.

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The exhibition features works from 74 queer artists, both established and emerging, exploring themes of identity, sexuality, and societal constraints through various mediums.

The exhibition not only showcases the artists' determination to express their identities but also reflects the growing attention from South Korea's institutional art world towards minority art, a trend that has been shaping contemporary art globally. 'Spectra Synthesis Seoul' runs until June 28.

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The scale and composition of the exhibition are significant, featuring the foundation's collection and works by 74 queer artists active domestically and internationally.