International Visitor Programme
The Office for Contemporary Art Norway runs an International Visitor Programme to support research in Norway and Sápmi by international curators and cultural figures for their upcoming exhibitions and projects.
OCA's long-term approach to building connections
14 September 2026
“My visit to Norway with OCA was my first visit to the Nordic region, and it came at an important moment when I was researching for the 16th Gwangju Biennale. I had the opportunity to meet so many remarkable artists, and some of these encounters eventually led to artists participating in the Biennale. What stayed with me most, however, was the experience of meeting artists who have sustained their practices over many years, and encountering not only their work but also the lives, commitments, and ways of thinking that have grown around those practices. It was a genuinely beautiful and formative experience. “ Gahee Park, curator for the 26th Gwangju Biennale
Early September marked the opening of Seoul Art Week, Frieze Seoul, Busan Biennial and the Gwangju Biennial. Since 2024 OCA has been working strategically to strengthen the dialogue and exchange between the Norwegian and Korean art fields and the results of this focus were visible in Norwegian artists, curators and institutional representatives present in Korea for this important week.
OCA has committed long-term to developing networks and stimulating dialogue and exchange by actively cultivating relationships on the ground in Korea as well as hosting Korean colleagues in Norway.
2024
SUPPORTED PROJECTS:
Axl Le (Artist)
5 Dec 2024 – 25 Jan 2025
Project: Group exhibition, ‘As the Sharp Narrative Fades, A Revealing Map Emerges (Part 2)’ at Chosun Gallery, Seoul.
Gwangju Biennale Foundation
7 Sept 2024 – 1 Dec 2024
Support is provided to the Gwangju Biennale Foundation, Gwangju, South Korea, for the participation of artist Frida Orupabo in the 15th Gwangju Biennale titled ‘Pansori, a soundscape of the 21st century’.
Jacky Jaan-Yuan Kuo, Jinbin Chen, Bobby Shuk Pui Yu
1 Jun 2024 – 14 Jun 2024
Support is provided to the artist group Daddy’s Dinner (Jacky Jaan-Yuan Kuo, Jinbin
Chen, Bobby Shuk Pui Yu) for their exhibition taking place at 413 BETA in Seoul.
Amorepacific Museum of Art
3 Sept 2024 – 23 Feb 2025
Support is provided to the Amorepacific Museum of Art, Seoul, South Korea, for the
commission of new works from artist Ingar Dragset in his duo-exhibition with Michael Elmgreen titled ‘SPACES’.
PUBLIC PROGRAMME:
The Office for… Game Engines
23 November
Seoul-based curator Leeji Hong joined The Office for… Game Engines at Cinemateket in Oslo, a discussion and screening exploring the influence of video games on contemporary art and culture with writer Mirijam Did. Hong is a curator at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Seoul.
2025
SUPPORTED PROJECTS:
Morten Andersen (Artist)
1 Jun 2025 – 15 Jun 2025
Participating in the Daejeon International Photo Festival.
INTERNATIONAL VISITOR PROGRAMME:
KIM Sung Woo, Sungah Serena Choo, Sungwon Kim and Young-in Lee
19 - 24 May
Four key figures from the Korean art scene — KIM Sung Woo, Sungah Serena Choo, Sungwon Kim and Young-in Lee — were invited to Sweden and Norway for research visits through the collaboration. Beginning in Stockholm, the group travelled on to Oslo and Bergen, meeting artists, curators and institutions along the way.
Laurencina Farrant
2 Jun 2025 – 6 Jun 2025
Farrant is the Artistic Director of SongEun Art & Cultural Foundation in Seoul, she visited Norway as part of a collaboration with IASPIS and the Swedish Institute.
Gahee Park
1 Oct 2025 – 4 Oct 2025
Gahee Park is a curator based in Seoul, she is the curator for the 2026 edition of the Gwangju Biennale.
2026
SUPPORTED PROJECTS:
Daniela Arriado (Curator)
31 Aug 2026 – 9 Sept 2026
Curatorial public programme at Park Seo-Bo Foundation, Seoul.
Ayatgali Tuleubek (Artist group)
30 Sept 2026 – 9 Dec 2026
Residency and exhibition with Norwegian artists Ayatgali Tuleubek and Michael
Rasmussen at The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul.
Jana Winderen (Artist)
10 Nov 2026 – 11 Dec 2026
Workshop and performance at Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture.
Constance Tenvik (Artist)
31 Mar 2026 – 12 Jun 2026
Residency at MMCA, Seoul.
ARKO Art Center (Institution)
21 May 2026 – 19 Jul 2026
Participation of artist Camille Norment in the group exhibition ‘Plexus (rhizome) Seoul’
at ARKO Art Center, Seoul.
Gwangju Biennale Foundation (Institution)
5 Sept 2026 – 15 Nov 2026
Participation of artists A K Dolven and Daisuke Kosugi in the group exhibition ‘너는 네
삶을 바꿔야 한다 You Must Change Your Life’ at the 16th Gwangju Biennale.
Damir Avdagic (Artist)
30 Sept 2026 – 9 Dec 2026
Residency at MMCA, Seoul.
Maryam Jafri (Artist)
7 Nov 2026 – 18 Dec 2026
Solo exhibition at CYLINDER, Seoul.
Cultivating relationships
“My curatorial visit to Norway was a wonderful opportunity to discover a contemporary art scene that was largely unfamiliar to me from Korea, and I was struck by its diversity, unexpected discoveries, and vibrant, outward-looking spirit. Beyond the exhibitions, studios, and conversations, the openness and generosity of OCA, artists, and colleagues made the experience especially memorable and welcoming. I returned to Korea with new discoveries, new connections, and a renewed curiosity about what is happening on the other side of the world.” - Laurencina Farrant, Artistic Director of SongEun Art & Cultural Foundation in Seoul.
What started as a research trip in 2024 has led to collaborations, expanded visits, and strengthened relationships. In 2025, OCA joined forces with its Swedish sister organisations, IASPIS and the Swedish Institute, to strengthen dialogue and create opportunities for art professionals across South Korea, Norway and Sweden to meet. Together, we hosted a group visit in spring 2025 and an individual visit by Laurencina Farrant in June, and in October, a visit by curator Gahee Park.
“I have participated in several international visiting programmes, but OCA’s programme was certainly one of the most valuable experiences I have had. From the beginning, OCA took the time to understand my interests and background, and thoughtfully shaped my meetings and itinerary around them."
Seolhui Lee visiting Ane Graff at her studio in Oslo. Photo: Michael Miller/OCA
In February 2026, OCA also welcomed Seolhui Lee, Senior Curator & Head of Creative Partnership at MAPS – Museum of Art in Public Space in Denmark.
"As a South Korean curator based in Denmark, it is especially meaningful for me to connect with artists and curators whose practices engage with Korean and broader Asian contexts. One particularly memorable moment was meeting Hankyul Kim at his solo exhibition at MUNCH, which OCA encouraged me to visit during the week of its opening. This may seem like a small detail, but it reflected the level of care and thoughtfulness that went into the programme.
The visit also opened my eyes to the growing interest in South Korea in Oslo, which was both unexpected and inspiring. I sincerely hope we can continue to strengthen exchanges and connections between Norway and South Korea.” - Seolhui Lee
“Seoul, you’ve touched me. I’m beyond thankful for MMCA Changdong Residency for nominating me for this wonderful stay. For a little over two months, I lived and worked in Seoul. What a special and layered place full of stories. I’ve encountered so many warm and interesting people who have brought out their ‘Jeong’. I’m feeling thankful for everyone I’ve met on this journey, including my fellow residents from South Korea and abroad. I’m hoping to return soon again!” — Constance Tenvik, artist.
Strengthening activities
Earlier this year Camille Norment participated in Plexus (rhizome) Seoul, a group exhibition at ARKO Art Center. During the same period, Constance Tenvik undertook a residency at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Seoul.
This September, A K Dolven and Daisuke Kosugi are participating in the 16th Gwangju Biennale. Supported by our support scheme, International Support. Kim Hankyul is also in Gwangju as part of the inaugural UNESCO Creative Cities Network pavilion.
Further supported projects are already on the horizon; Ayatgali Tuleubek and Michael Rasmussen will undertake a residency and participate in a group exhibition at the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, while Damir Avdagic will take part in an MMCA residency. Maryam Jafri will present a solo exhibition at CYLINDER in Seoul, and Jana Winderen will take part in a workshop and performance with the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture.
"We sought to expand opportunities beyond Europe and the Nordics, to explore what can be achieved by sustaining focus on one region over time, with an emphasis on long-term engagement and relationship-building." - Ruben Steinum, Director at OCA
These opportunities are not the result of a single programme or event, but rather reflect the gradual development of relationships among artists, curators and institutions over time. The aim is for these connections to extend beyond individual visits and projects, developing into networks and relationships that can evolve independently over time.
Camille Norment installation view from ARKO.
Photo credit: Camille Norment Studio
