Enber Gallery Holds Opening Ceremony for '2023 Lian: Yeon-eul It-da' Exhibition Featuring Salaried Artists with Developmental Disabilities as 'Art Workers'

On the 8th at 2 PM, NVIRGALLERY held the opening ceremony of the exhibition ≪2023 聯: Yeon-eul It-da (Connecting Bonds)≫ featuring 23 developmental disability artists affiliated with the Gyeonggi Disabled Parents Solidarity Yangpyeong Branch.

The exhibition runs until July 2nd and showcases a variety of caricature works by artist and actor Jeong Eun-hye, who has risen above her disability, as well as diverse works and worldviews of 22 developmental disability artists, also known as 'art laborers.'

The third ≪2023 聯: Yeon-eul It-da≫ exhibition, organized by NVIRGALLERY, approaches the theme as indicated by its title: developmental disabled individuals, who have not been fully recognized as complete beings and thus considered useless, connect with the world through the link of art. Before being 'disabled,' they are 'individuals' with social needs, communicating with society and gaining recognition as members through artistic creation. Visitors can experience a new artistic world unfolded by their unique and original imagination.

The Gyeonggi Disabled Parents Solidarity Yangpyeong Branch, participating in this exhibition, secured jobs for 20 developmental disability art laborers last year through the 'Gyeonggi-do Rights-Centered Customized Public Job Project for Severely Disabled' by applying for the program. These artists come to work every morning at 9 AM, paint for four hours, and receive minimum wage, finally allowing them to proclaim their socially meaningful existence to the world.

The exhibition opening ceremony was a meaningful event where 23 developmental disability artists and art laborers once again announced their presence to society. About 40 people, including participating artists, their families, and Yangpyeong Parents Solidarity officials, were invited. Lee Beom-hoe, chairman of the Korea Federation of Artistic & Cultural Organizations, gave a congratulatory speech. Notably, actor Kim Woo-bin, who became connected with artist Jeong Eun-hye through the tvN drama 'Our Blues,' sent a wreath to support her exhibition, drawing attention.

Jin-sook Lee, CEO of NVIRGALLERY, said, “Through this ≪2023 聯: Yeon-eul It-da≫ exhibition, I hope people can experience the meaningful significance of developmental disability art laborers through the existence of the 23 artists, the creative process of their art, and the unique and original worldviews born from them. I also hope this serves as an opportunity for society to reconsider and reflect on developmental disabled individuals.” She added, “We will continue to strive to improve awareness and strengthen human rights not only for developmental disabled people but also for socially marginalized groups in need of support.”

Meanwhile, NVIRGALLERY conducted the 'BLUE ROSE' donation campaign last April with students from the developmental disability alternative school Sandol School and artist Jeong Eun-hye, who belongs to a disabled artists group. The proceeds from the sale of works created through the campaign, totaling 6.48 ETH (approximately 17,882,786 KRW), were donated to Sandol School to support developmental disability patients.