On April 5, in celebration of Autism Awareness Month, the Korean Cultural Center in Brazil held the opening of the art exhibition “I Love You, South Korea.” Curated by Grazi Gadia, the exhibition features the work of 11 autistic artists: Arthur de Olinda, Bernardo Yori, Davi Ribeiro, Dudu Memoriza, Gabi Hong, Gabi Hayon, Isa Gomes, Jessye Blue, Júlia Malc, Mary Gomes, and Yo Cruzué. The artworks are on display on the second floor, in the venue’s interactive area.

The event included a presentation by Susana Bae, mother of one of the artists and proponent of the exhibition, as well as two lectures given by Luciana Perroud, from Clínica Aptos, and Erick Cupertino, a social skills therapist. At the end of the opening, a raffle was held among participants, with the prize being a t-shirt from Cog Life Arts, printed with artwork by some of the featured artists.

In her lecture, Luciana Perroud introduced the concepts of autism and praised the initiative by the Korean Cultural Center in Brazil. In her speech, the therapist emphasized:

“We need to learn in order to understand, so we can act and help them be included. So what really matters for us is empathy, [...], understanding what’s going on, accepting differences, and acting naturally. And promoting inclusive environments like this. [...] They need to be included and show their potential. So this project is really wonderful.”

Erick Cupertino, in turn, hosted a discussion circle with the artists, asking them three questions about their creative processes. Júlia Malc, one of the artists, shared some of her challenges as an artist:

“Well, I’ve liked making art since I was a teenager, but now that I’m in college, sometimes I get a bit nervous, sometimes I don’t have time to make art, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to give up on art. I’m going to keep making art. I want to use this art to help people and make the world a better place.”

In her remarks, Gabi Hong shared how Korean culture influenced her pieces:

“I took inspiration from K-dramas that I usually watch. The first one at the back, a couple with a yellow umbrella, is very typical of Korean dramas. The historical monuments as well, which are part of Korea. And also the dances.”

The KCC Brazil initiative is the continuation of a project focused on diversity and inclusion of people with disabilities, which began with the exhibition “Amazing Grace All Over the Globe” by artist Jung Eun Hye in 2024. The institution reaffirms its commitment to contributing, now and in the future, to the inclusion and appreciation of these professionals in the art world.

Luciana Perroud's lecture

Erick Cupertino's conversation with the artists

The exhibition is free and open to all ages. It can be visited at the Korean Cultural Center in Brazil, located at Avenida Paulista, 460, until April 30, 2025. For more information, visit the institution’s website or official social media channels.