The Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) recently celebrated a significant milestone, marking its 13th anniversary with the grand opening of a special art exhibition. The event, titled 'Travelling Sketch: Beyond Us, Between Us', was inaugurated at the Centre's gallery in New Delhi, showcasing a vibrant dialogue between Indian and Korean artistic visions.
A Canvas of Shared Journeys and Observations
The exhibition serves as a unique platform, bringing together over 200 distinct artworks created by four talented artists. The roster features two artists from South Korea and two from India, each presenting their personal interpretations of travel, keen observation, and cross-cultural interaction. The exhibition is not merely a display of art but a curated experience of shared perspectives, open for public viewing at the KCCI gallery until 28 February 2026.
The opening ceremony commenced with an engaging guided walk-through, where the artists themselves provided insights into their creative processes. They elaborated on how their travels acted as a catalyst, allowing them to absorb the nuances of everyday life, local traditions, and diverse landscapes. These experiences were then skillfully translated into a variety of mediums, including pen drawings, watercolours, digital art, textiles, and ceramics.
Artistic Impressions from Korea and India
The Korean artists, Son Sangshin (also known as Bereka) and Heo Dasom, drew direct inspiration from their journeys across India. Son Sangshin displayed an impressive collection of large-scale pen drawings and watercolour works. Complementing these were three published books that narrate her travel experiences. Heo Dasom took a innovative approach, presenting a series of 40 digital artworks. Her work creatively reinterprets ancient Sanskrit scripts, giving them a contemporary visual form.
On the Indian side, artists Reeka Nartiang and Samiddha Choudhuri showcased works born from their travels in South Korea. Reeka Nartiang presented exquisite textile pieces inspired by traditional Korean masks, alongside drawings and paintings depicting hanbok (Korean traditional dress) and local scenes. Samiddha Choudhuri exhibited a diverse range, including ceramic works, a digital series focused on Korean street food, and detailed pen drawings capturing various regions of Korea.
Beyond Tourism: Fostering Deeper Cultural Bonds
The core objective of 'Travelling Sketch' extends far beyond being a simple record of tourist destinations. The exhibition aims to forge a deeper, more meaningful connection between the two cultures. Director Hwang Il Yong emphasized this vision during the opening. He stated, “Travel is the starting point of art and it captures the diversity of the world.”
He further added that the exhibition hopes to play a pivotal role in strengthening mutual cultural understanding, with a special focus on engaging young audiences. By moving past superficial impressions, the art encourages viewers to contemplate the 'beyond' and 'between'—the subtle, shared human experiences that connect people across geographical borders. This initiative stands as a testament to the KCCI's 13-year commitment to being a bridge for cultural diplomacy and artistic exchange between India and Korea.
