Global Nexus: A World Connected Through Art at Asia Pacific Cultural Center

Kellis Parlett
Jul 27
3 min read

Updated: Jul 30

Exhibition Dates: August 1–31, 2026

Opening Reception: Saturday, August 8 | 4:00–7:00 p.m.

Location: Asia Pacific Cultural Center

4851 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, WA 98409

Asia Pacific Cultural Center is proud to welcome an extraordinary international exhibition that demonstrates the power of art to transcend borders, languages, and cultures.

From August 1–31, 2026, APCC will host the 2nd IOI International Organization of Arts Exhibition, Global Nexus, featuring artists from China, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Sweden, and the United States.

The public is also invited to a special Opening Reception on Saturday, August 8, from 4:00–7:00 p.m., where guests can meet fellow art enthusiasts, celebrate international creativity, and experience this remarkable exhibition firsthand.

A Journey Across Seven Nations

As guests move through the gallery, they'll encounter artistic voices from seven countries, each offering distinct styles, materials, and cultural traditions.

Highlights include:

Elegant Hanji fashion and textile art from Korea
Contemporary paintings and mixed media from France and Germany
Japanese paper art and photography
Traditional and modern Chinese craftwork
Fiber art, sculpture, and innovative installations
Diverse works from American and Swedish artists that reflect today's interconnected world

Together, these pieces illustrate that while artistic traditions may differ, creativity remains a language understood by everyone.

Curator's Statement

The 2026 IOI International Art Exhibition: Global Nexus is an international exhibition that celebrates the power of art to connect people across borders, cultures, and communities. This year, artists from Korea, Japan, China, Germany, Sweden, France, and the United States come together to present works that reflect their unique cultural backgrounds and artistic perspectives.

This exhibition marks the second international exhibition organized by the IOI International Organization of Arts. Founded in Korea under the vision of Professor Yang-Bae Jeon, IOI was established to introduce Hanji, Korea’s traditional handmade paper, to artists around the world and to encourage cultural exchange through artistic exploration. For centuries, Hanji has embodied the spirit and history of Korean life, celebrated for its remarkable durability, distinctive texture, and cultural significance.

Each participating artist has interpreted Hanji—along with a variety of other artistic media—through their own creative language, drawing upon their personal experiences, cultural heritage, and individual perspectives. What began with Korean artists introducing Hanji to the countries in which they live has grown into a truly international movement, inviting local artists from around the world to explore this traditional material. Through this shared experience, diverse cultures, values, and artistic voices come together to create works that are both deeply personal and universally meaningful.

Global Nexus is the culmination of an international artistic network that began with Hanji as its point of connection. More than an exhibition of a traditional Korean material, it is a gathering of stories—stories of cultures, communities, and the lives of artists from around the world. Each artwork reflects the artist’s memories, identity, and cultural background, offering visitors an opportunity to experience the emotions, traditions, and perspectives that shape lives across different societies while discovering the universal language of art.

It is my hope that this exhibition will become more than a place to view artworks. May it serve as a space for dialogue, understanding, and meaningful human connection through art. When artists from different languages, cultures, and histories come together to communicate through their work, and that dialogue continues with those who experience it, genuine international cultural exchange can truly flourish.

Art knows no borders. Although we come from different places and traditions, we all share the ability to express hope, memory, joy, and dreams through creative expression. It is my sincere hope that Global Nexus will serve as a bridge connecting people around the world and become the beginning of lasting artistic collaboration, friendship, and cultural exchange that transcends nations and generations.