Detail: Gwangju Biennale is known for its sheer scale, showcasing many artists and artworks, assisted by its large budget. With an average budget of over $US12 million, no other biennale is comparable to it except Documenta.
Gwangju Biennale was one of the first contemporary art exhibitions with an international vision in Asia, bringing pre-eminent curators and major artists to Asia. The 1995 Gwangju Biennale (formerly Kwangju) was greeted as a seminal event, winning applause from the local general public as well as the art world abroad. In 2004, the Gwangju Biennale was unveiled by Korean President Roh Moo-hyun to mark its 10 anniversary.