Expanding Boundaries and Possibilities
When ten artists from Korea and Canada came together this fall, they brought with them a kaleidoscope of styles and stories. Over ten days, they travelled from Canmore to Toronto to Ottawa as part of Korea x Canada x Disability Arts: Expanding Boundaries and Possibilities, a landmark exchange celebrating the 2024-2025 Korea-Canada Year of Cultural Exchanges.
The National accessArts Centre (NaAC) presented by TD Ready Commitment partnered with the Canada Council for the Arts (CCA), the Korean Foundation for International Culture Exchange (KOFICE), and the Korea Disability Arts and Culture Centre (KDAC) to deliver something rare: a space for artists with disabilities to connect across cultures and mediums, and to contribute to the global dialogue on disability arts.
Korea x Canada x Disability Arts: Expanding Boundaries and Possibilities brought together five artists with disabilities from the Republic of Korea and five from Canada.
| The Canadian Artists Johnny Tai Atanas Bozdarov Mei Chan-Long Laurie M Landry David Oppong | The Korean Artists Eun-seol Kim Hyun-woo Kim Chee-hyung Kim Yu-seon Ko Da-young Yoo |
Art That Sparks Understanding
For Calgary-based artist David Oppong, art offers a way to understand the world and bring people together. Originally from Ghana, David joined the NaAC in 2019 and works in painting and drawing. “I view my artistic practice as a means to challenge perception and foster inclusive conversations about disability, identity, and community,” he says.
His work, often inspired by current events, blends storytelling with social commentary. For this exhibition, David presented 10 Facts, a striking piece depicting President Putin against a backdrop of fire and explosions. It’s a meditation on war, power, and resilience. Yet, beneath the scenes of turmoil, his message remains hopeful. “I hope to share my artwork so that people may learn new things and come together to learn and share,” he explains.
The exchange offered David a meaningful opportunity to connect with fellow artists and explore new perspectives in disability arts.
“Being part of the Korea x Canada Exchange was a meaningful opportunity to bridge culture through dialogue and mutual respect,” he says. “Connecting with Korean artists excites me because it is an exchange of ideas and perspectives that enrich my understanding of global disability narratives.”
“It is an exchange of ideas and perspectives that enrich my understanding of global disability narratives.”
David Oppong
When Art Becomes a Bridge
It’s that same opportunity for connection that drew Richmond-based artist Johnny Tai to the project.
Blind and partially deaf, Johnny pioneered a tactile metal-etching technique that allows audiences to experience art through both sight and touch. His aluminum canvases transform texture into language and story into feeling.
“My work has always been about bridging divides—between sighted and blind, East and West, strength and vulnerability—and this project feels like a natural extension of that mission,” he says.
As a Taiwanese-Canadian artist, Johnny saw the exchange not only as a chance to share his work, but to explore the visual and tactile traditions that shape Korean mark marking, symbolism, and storytelling. “I was excited to get to know what moves their artistic practice,” he says, “what symbols, what marks make sense to them.”
The experience confirmed something profound: “No matter the borders or language barriers we want to put between us as humans, we are all human. We are all artists,” he says.
For Johnny, the exchange was also a reminder that accessibility is a shared responsibility. He hopes audiences leave understanding disabled artists deserve to be seen and celebrated in mainstream spaces.
“It’s not just about what you see, it’s about the heart behind each piece of artwork that drives them. These voices deserve to be heard in mainstream circles.”
Johnny Tai
A Future Without Borders
From Canada, the exhibition will travel to MODU Art Space in Seoul, opening November 10, 2025. For the participating artists, it’s a chance to see their work reach new audiences—and to deepen the conversation they began here at home.
“Sharing my work in Seoul feels like a significant step in reaching audiences who may have limited exposure to disability art,” David says. “I hope my work sparks curiosity and inspires dialogue and acceptance worldwide.”
As Johnny puts it, “The future is unknown, but the possibility is endless.”
“The future is unknown, but the possibility is endless.”
Johnny Tai
Reflections From the NaAC Team
From planning workshops to attending gallery openings, our staff had a front-row seat to the connections and conversations sparked through this unique exchange.
“It was moving to see the artists and artwork come together as a mobilizer for community building and fostering a deeper sense of belonging. All of the conversations and panel discussions were very inspiring, there were so many moments of connection and illuminating points around what an accessible art world could and should be.”
– Laura Admussen
“A point of resonance for me was the excitement of seeing the work that we’ve been doing in Toronto come together. The full house at the Remote Gallery exhibition tour showcased the fruits of the community that NaAC has been building in Toronto over this past summer with the workshop series.”
– Raewyn Reid
Learn more about Korea x Canada x Disability Arts: Expanding Boundaries and Possibilities here
