In 2026, UNESCO Regional Office for East Asia and Jeju Special Self-Governing Province launched “Je Create: Culture and Innovation for a Sustainable Future,” under which the “Art for Earth: Climate Creativity Lab” supports young artists across Asia and the Pacific working at the intersection of arts and climate action. Following a regional call and selection process, the Artist Exchange Series facilitates cross-border mobility, peer learning and collaboration. As part of the Series, UNESCO is participating in the Hong Kong Culture and Sustainability Conference 2026, featuring two selected artists from the Republic of Korea: Lee Ho Gyeong, a visual artist exploring urban waste through upcycling and visual storytelling, and Kim Hamin, a community artist working with marine debris, community participation and social inclusion.
Together, the two projects cover the full spectrum from “consumption front-end” (where waste is generated in cities) to “environmental back-end” (where waste ends up in oceans), forming a complete narrative arc from source to solution. They also complement each other methodologically: Lee’s work emphasizes individual reflection and visual impact, while Kim’s emphasizes community participation and social care.
The session, “From Ocean to City: How Art Reimagines Climate Action,” reflects shared environmental and social concerns between Hong Kong and Jeju, while exploring how culture and the arts can contribute to advancing the SDGs.
