I was honoured to speak recently at South Korea's Jeonju City 2024 World Revolutionary Arts Forum, on the topic of Memory and Commemorative Spaces of Revolution. It felt exceptionally touching being invited to mobilise and share Madiba’s legacy in the contexts of global revolutionary memory. I spoke about “Nelson Mandela’s Struggle against apartheid and his methods of commemoration”.
Understanding the journey that Madiba travelled along, which remained central for greater global revolutionary dimensions, had brought strong evidence that through memory lies enormous power regarding the formation of collective identity. Madiba’s life has been a long testimony to justice and equality, and his story undoubtedly resonates deeply with movements toward freedom everywhere around the world. His legacy gives us a clue about the ability of revolution for transformation and preserving such stories in history for future generations.
As Madiba wisely said, “In the life of any individual, family, community, or society, memory is of fundamental importance. It is the fabric of identity.” – Prisoner in the Garden: Opening Nelson Mandela’s Archive, 2005.
I was privileged to be joined by experts from Canada, France, and South Korea to explore why and how we remember revolutions through monuments and arts. The discussions ranged from how public art becomes a vehicle for the preservation of revolutionary histories, to the role that monuments play in both interrogating and honouring the past. These discussions also showed how revolutions often change everything, many times, and also continue shaping political and cultural landscapes even long after the fights are fought. Arts and monuments serve as more than just the appearance, they hold with them the memories of the people who fought and suffered, they are the bridge between the struggles of the past and ongoing efforts for change.
I was most inspired by the work of Lim Young-seon on the Donghak Peasant Revolution, the work that really shows how art keeps the voice of history alive. His way of combining historical memories with an artistic expression highlights the power of graphic heritage and visual storytelling in making history accessible to new generations. Through art, painful and often complex histories are not only preserved, but they are also reinterpreted, which allows us to engage with them in more meaningful ways. The works of Lim also reminded us that memory is interactive with creation and that it is art that acts as a trigger towards society in reflecting on or changing aspects that need alteration.
Given the opportunity to exchange ideas and engage with such knowledgeable and passionate experts from diverse backgrounds was an invaluable experience. I left the forum with a deeper understanding and a renewed sense of purpose on how commemorative spaces, regardless of being physical or virtual, can shape how we connect with our histories.
Many thanks to Jeonju City, alongside the parties that organised the forum for their incredible hospitality and for facilitating such a thought-provoking and inspiring event.