Yangcheon-gu to hold exhibition of artwork by vulnerable elderly residents

Yangcheon-gu in Seoul will hold the sixth edition of "Canvas Holding Time," an art exhibition featuring works by vulnerable elderly residents, at Omok Park from Thursday through Nov. 2, the district announced Friday.

"Canvas Holding Time" is a Yangcheon-gu cultural arts program in which elderly residents from low-income households reflect on their lives alongside local artists and express their memories and emotions through painting. The program has run since 2021. This year, the exhibition period has been extended from three days to five.

Five local welfare institutions — Mokdong Senior Welfare Center, Balgeunnae Senior Welfare Center, West Seoul Senior Welfare Center, Sinjeong General Social Welfare Center and Yangcheon Senior Comprehensive Welfare Center — are participating alongside the Yangcheon Culture Foundation and arts cooperative Yesulro. A total of 360 artworks completed by 92 elderly participants will be on display, marking the largest turnout and submission count in the exhibition's history.

The exhibition is organized into seven galleries. Memories from participants' youth are captured in "Flowers of Youth," warm moments from middle age are rendered in black and white in "Sketches of Middle Life," "Self-Portraits of Old Age" presents works in which participants reflect on who they are today, and "Urban Sketch" features paintings of familiar neighborhood scenes. An opening ceremony will be held at 1:45 p.m. Thursday, the first day of the exhibition. The event will open with a fashion show by senior models, followed by introductions of the participating elderly artists and a screening of a video documenting their creative work.

Hands-on activity booths will also be open to all residents throughout the exhibition period, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Four booths will offer keyring making, self-portrait art experiences, knitted pet accessory making and pouch making.

Special souvenirs, including postcards made from the participants' artwork, will be available for purchase. A sponsor café serving beverages and food will also operate during the exhibition.

"This is a meaningful exhibition where the precious time and experiences of our elderly residents come to life on canvas and are shared with the community," Yangcheon-gu District Mayor Lee Gi-jae said. "We will continue to expand opportunities for cultural and artistic activities so that our elderly residents can express themselves through art, connect with their neighbors and enjoy a vibrant later life."