Venice Biennale and East Asia

Join us for Art for Breakfast on December 18, where artist Yuko Mohri and curator Sook-Kyung Lee will provide insights into their journey representing the Japan Pavilion (commissioner: the Japan Foundation) at the prestigious 60th Venice Biennale, commencing on April 20, 2024. Often hailed as the "Olympic Games of the art world," this event offers a rare opportunity to delve into the aspirations and strategies of this dynamic duo in elevating their works and the Japanese Pavilion on the global stage.

Having previously collaborated at the 14th Gwangju Biennale, Yuko Mohri's selection to represent the Japan Pavilion at the Venice Biennale and her subsequent nomination of Sook-Kyung Lee as the curator mark a significant milestone in their artistic partnership. With Lee's experience in curating the Korea Pavilion at Venice, the duo shares a strong commitment to not only ensuring a successful production and exhibition process but also enhancing the overall presence of the artists. Their vision for the Japanese Pavilion transcends mere artistic excellence, focusing on enhancing operational efficiency and implementing effective marketing and media strategies.

Acknowledging the global competition, the duo's unique perspective as representatives from East Asia and their diverse international experiences promise a compelling narrative. Gain exclusive insights into their strategic approach as the production for the 60th Venice Biennale is approaching. Discover how their cultural insights and collaborative efforts are shaping the future of the Japan Pavilion, paving the way for an unparalleled artistic destination at the world-renowned event.

Event and Registration Details

• This event will be conducted in in-person and online, and registration is required.
• In-person participation is for members and guests only. Please pay your fee by credit card (Visa or Mastercard only) or at the door.
• Online participation is open to the public and free.

Speaker Bios

Yuko Mohri
Artist

B. 1980 in Kanagawa, Japan. Lives and works in Tokyo.
Yuko Mohri is an artist who creates installation and sculpture not to compose (or construct) but to focus on “phenomena” that constantly shift according to various conditions such as their environment. In recent years, she has also explored this idea through video and photography.

In 2015, Mohri received a grant from the Asian Cultural Council for a 6-month residency in New York. In the same year, she received Grand Prix, Nissan Art Award. In 2016, Mohri took a residency at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, and was in residence at Camden Arts Centre, London. 2018 saw her as East Asian Cultural Exchange Envoy, visiting 4 cities in China. In 2019, she received a grant from the Institut français for a 3-month residency in Paris.

Recent personal exhibitions include “I/O (In Oslo)” (Atelier Nord, Oslo, 2021), “Parade (a Drip, a Drop, the End of the Tale)” (Japan House São Paulo, São Paulo, 2021), “SP. by yuko mohri” (Ginza Sony Park, Tokyo, 2020), “Voluta” (Camden Arts Centre, London, 2018), and “Assume That There Is Friction and Resistance” (Towada Art Center, Aomori, 2018). She has also participated in numerous international group exhibitions including the 14th Gwangju Biennale (Horanggasinamu Art Polygon, Gwangju, 2023), the 23rd Biennale of Sydney (Pier 2/3 and Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, Sydney, 2022), the 2021 Asian Art Biennial (National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, Taichung, 2021), the 34th Bienal de São Paulo (Ciccillo Matarazzo Pavilion, São Paulo, 2021), Glasgow international 2021 (The Pipe Factory, Glasgow, 2021), the 9th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art, Brisbane, 2018), “Japanorama: New Vision on Art since 1970” (Centre Pompidou-Metz, 2017) , the 14th Biennale de Lyon (Musée d’art contemporain de Lyon, 2017) and Kochi-Muziris Biennale 2016 (Kochi, 2016).

Her works are in the collections of Ashmolean Museum (Oxford), Centre Pompidou (Paris), M+ (Hong Kong), Musée d’art contemporain de Lyon (Lyon), The National Museum of Modern Art Kyoto (Kyoto), Taoyuan Museum of Fine Arts (Taoyuan), and Queensland Art Gallery (Brisbane) etc.

For more information, visit her website.

Sook-Kyung Lee
Curator and Director of the Whitworth at The University of Manchester, UK.

She was the Artistic Director of the 14th Gwangju Biennale (2023), titled "soft and weak like water", which explored themes of resistance, indigeneity, decoloniality, and ecology. Lee was the Senior Curator of international Art at Tate Modern, working in exhibitions, collection displays, and acquisitions. She also headed a major multi-year research initiative ‘Hyundai Tate Research Centre: Transnational’ at Tate Modern, overseeing its strategic vision and associated programming. Lee served as the Commissioner & Curator of the Korea Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale and is currently curating the Japan Pavilion at the 60th Venice Biennale, represented by the artist Yuko Mohri.

Having received a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Art History and Theory from Hongik University, she served as a curator at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art from 1993 through 1998; and then moved to the United Kingdom to earn a master’s degree in Arts Criticism at the City, University of London and a doctoral degree in Art History and Theory at the University of Essex.