Gwangju Biennale 2026: Notes for Art Groups

The short answer

The 16th Gwangju Biennale, titled You Must Change Your Life and led by artistic director Ho Tzu Nyen, runs from 5 September to 15 November 2026 with 43 artists and groups. Explera DMC builds art-group days around it, with KTX from Seoul, a guide and a coach.

Agencies selling art and culture in Korea have a few weeks left for one of Asia's major exhibitions. Our Korea team covers it in its Gwangju Biennale note; this page is the short version for agencies selling Korea alongside our other destinations.

What Is On?

The 16th Gwangju Biennale, from 5 September to 15 November 2026.
The title, You Must Change Your Life, comes from the last line of a Rilke poem.
The team. Artistic director Ho Tzu Nyen, with curators Che Kyongfa, Park Gahee and Brian Kuan Wood.
43 artists and groups take part.
The main venue is the Gwangju Biennale Exhibition Hall.

Visitors at an art exhibition in a gallery

How Does a Group Get There?

By KTX. High-speed trains run from Seoul to Gwangju Songjeong Station, then a coach takes the group on.
As a day or as part of a route. The Biennale works as a rail day from Seoul or as a stop on a southwest itinerary.

What Fits Around It?

Gwangju itself. The May 1980 memorial sites and the Asia Culture Center.
Damyang. The bamboo forest is a short drive away.
Group entry. We confirm opening days and group entry with the organiser for the travel date.

A path through the Juknokwon bamboo forest in Damyang

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the 2026 Gwangju Biennale end?

On 15 November 2026. It opened on 5 September.

What is the theme of the 2026 Gwangju Biennale?

It is titled You Must Change Your Life. The artistic director is Ho Tzu Nyen, and 43 artists and groups take part.

How does a group reach Gwangju from Seoul?

By KTX to Gwangju Songjeong Station, then by coach. Explera DMC books the rail, the coach and a guide.

When is the next Gwangju Biennale?

The Biennale is held every two years, so a group that wants this edition has to travel before 15 November 2026.

Sources

Where Explera Fits

Our Korea team plans art and culture programmes with rail, coaches, guides and museum entry.

Write to b2b@explera.kr or message +66 93 656 8090 on WhatsApp. Explera DMC is IATA TIDS-registered (96215733) and an ASTA member (900408341); our KTO and KATA registrations are in application.