Two Filipino photographers join Jeju Biennale Exhibition in South Korea

Two Filipino photographers, Jes Aznar and Veejay Villafranca, are among the 40 artists who will showcase their works at the Jeju Biennale Exhibition. 

Dubbed "The Drift of Apagi: The Way of Water, Wind, and Stars," the exhibition will feature artists from 14 countries who will showcase works highlighting the identity of the South Korean island, including its culture, environment, history, and politics. It will run from Nov. 26, 2024 to Feb. 16, 2025. 

The 40 artists were divided into six sections, each named after a local dialect. These sections will help tell the journey of civilization through drifting—the movement and migration of nature, culture, and art—and the ecosystem of survival and transformation. 

Two Filipino photographers will be under the “Jageunte,” a Jeju dialect word for storyteller. Aznar will exhibit “The Promise Land,” which will depict the decades-long conflict in Mindanao. His work will show the many layers of complexity that define the conflict, revealing new insights through in-depth investigation.

“’The Promised Land’ challenges simplistic narratives that often frame conflicts as a binary struggle between protagonists and antagonists. By peeling back these reductive portrayals, Aznar reveals the primal and multifaceted reasons driving the unrest, offering a richer, more nuanced understanding of Mindanaos turmoil,” the statement read. 

Aznar is known for his works that explore social issues. He currently contributes to The New York Times and Getty Images.