Diplomacy Journal David Kendall 기자 | On April 15, an international exhibition opened at the CN Gallery in Seoul's historic Bukchon neighborhood. The Embassy of the Slovak Republic and the Chungnam Cultural Tourism Foundation (CNCTF) jointly invited Slovak illustrator Peter Uchnár to visit Korea and display several pieces from his storied career.

In his opening statement, Jiwon (John) Lee, Director of the CNCTF Cultural & Arts Promotion Headquarters, praised Peter Uchnár for his work on beloved children's books like Peter Pan and his reimagined version of Gulliver's Travels, for which he won his second Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB) in 2025. His first BIB award came in 1999 when -- as a recent college graduate -- he was honored for his original depiction of Gulliver's Travels.

Director Lee said the exhibition marks "the beginning of a deeper and more meaningful exchange between Chungnam and Slovakia, and we hope it provides more opportunities for artists from Chungnam to connect with Europe and extend their presence on the international stage."

According to Song Haemin from the Cultural Project Department of CNCTF, the provincial government of Chungcheongnam-do operates the CN Gallery in Seoul in part to provide artists from the Chungnam region more visibility and raise awareness of the province among Koreans and foreigners in Seoul.

In his remarks, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Korea Marek Repovský said, "Mr Uchnár is able to visually revive literature in a way that appeals not only to children but also to adults." The Ambassador said Mr Uchnár's work has been widely exhibited across Europe and Asia. expressed, and he thanked him for helping children better imagine the worlds conjured up in stories and for providing all who view his work a bright and creative world into which they can at least momentarily escape.

After the Ambassador, a quiet and unassuming Peter Uchnár himself thanked the Embassy of Slovakia and the CN Gallery for choosing to display his work. The artist was clearly much more in his element on the third-floor rooftop terrace, where he gave an impassioned live demonstration of his painting process after the opening ceremony. Guests were also treated to canapés and drinks as well as a view of nearby Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Peter Uchnár's work combines illustration, painting, and printmaking to create dreamlike and fantastical narratives. The exhibition will run until April 26. The CN Gallery is located at Jongno-gu, Bukchon-ro 5 Gil 56-7. Opening Hours: Tues. to Sun. (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.)