Verger Gallery: Bridging Cultures Through Art, From Yeonnam-dong to Tanzania

In the artistic quarter of Yeonnam-dong, Verger Gallery has quickly established itself as one of Seoul’s most dynamic international art spaces since opening just six months ago. Each month, the gallery presents a special exhibition introducing the unique colors, traditions, and artistic spirits of different countries to Korean audiences.

This month, Verger Gallery proudly unveiled a rare and meaningful exhibition featuring the works of Edward Saidi Tingatinga, the late national painter of Tanzania, whose distinctive style gave birth to the world-famous Tingatinga Art. The exhibition holds even greater significance as it was curated and presented by his daughter, who inherited her father’s artistic legacy and brought his masterpieces to Korea for the first time. The vivid colors and whimsical forms of Tingatinga’s paintings captured the imagination of art lovers, offering a window into Tanzania’s rich cultural soul.

The opening ceremony became a truly international celebration. H.E. the Ambassador of Tanzania and his spouse graced the occasion, joined by many art enthusiasts, cultural figures, and members of the media. Among the distinguished guests was Joy Cho, Co-Chairman of Seoul City News, whose presence highlighted the growing friendship between Korea and Tanzania through art and culture. The event resonated with warmth, creativity, and a spirit of global connection—perfectly reflecting Verger Gallery’s vision to build bridges between nations through art.

About Verger Gallery

■ Verger Gallery (베르제 갤러리)

■ Location: 81-6, Donggyo-ro 51-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul (Yeonnam-dong)

■ Opening Date: February 2025

■ Director: Da-Eun Song

■ Structure:

B1: Exhibition Space

1F: Partner Brand Space (Einlab Jewelry)

Nestled in a quiet alley of Yeonnam-dong, Verger Gallery opened in February 2025 as a space where diverse cultures and arts coexist.

The word “Verger” means “orchard” or “garden” in French.
This name embodies Director Song’s philosophy: “May the seeds of various cultures grow together in the soil of art.”
In essence, Verger is not just a gallery — it is a cultural garden where the art, language, and stories of the world take root and flourish.

Verger Gallery aims to become a hub for international exchange in contemporary art. The gallery introduces to Korean audiences artists from cultural backgrounds less represented in the local art scene — from Africa, Europe, and Asia — offering new perspectives and diversity within Korea’s art ecosystem while providing global artists a creative gateway into Seoul.

Language is also regarded as a form of art at Verger. Drawing from her background in French and her years of cross-cultural business and artistic exchange, Director Song envisions education programs that merge art with language learning, such as the forthcoming Art & Korean project for foreign visitors.

Through this multi-layered approach, Verger Gallery is establishing itself as an exhibition space, an educational venue, and a center for global artistic networking. Each exhibition goes beyond visual appreciation to explore the language, symbolism, and social narratives of each culture — creating an immersive storytelling experience.

The gallery’s physical design also reflects this philosophy:

The basement floor serves as the main exhibition hall for themed international showcases.

The ground floor, shared with Einlab Jewelry, features seasonal gemstone and diamond displays that connect fine art, craftsmanship, and design.
Together, they form a multidisciplinary cultural platform that bridges art and artisanal creation.

Ultimately, Verger Gallery is not simply “a gallery introducing foreign art.”
It is a garden of dialogue where language and art converse, and cultures meet beyond borders —
a space where art becomes the universal language that connects the world.

Philosophy & Vision

“Connecting Language and Culture Through Art”

Verger Gallery believes art is more than a visual experience — it is a dialogue where language and culture intersect.

1. Connecting Cultures Through Art
Verger does not confine itself to any specific country or genre. Artists from France, Tunisia, Vietnam, Tanzania, the Arab world, and beyond share their myths, symbols, and stories through the common language of art. Each exhibition becomes a cultural dialogue that allows audiences to learn about others while appreciating their creativity.

2. Fusion of Language and Art
At Verger, language itself is viewed as art. Monthly language exchange meetups are held, each themed around a different language and country. Participants discuss the artworks, ask questions, and share their cultural insights in multiple languages.
Additionally, the upcoming “Art & Korean” program invites foreign participants to learn Korean naturally through art appreciation — presenting a new model of experiential cultural education.

3. A Sustainable International Exchange Hub
As Seoul grows into a global city, Verger strives to build a sustainable global art network, not a series of one-time events. Through annual collaborations with new countries and artists, it continues to expand the scope of creative and educational exchange.

4. People-Centered Art — An Open Cultural Garden
True to its name “Verger,” the gallery is an open space for everyone — artists, visitors, local communities, and international residents. Through language exchanges, workshops, and open talks, Verger expands art from a private pursuit into a shared cultural experience accessible to all.

Exhibitions (2025)

(1) “My Collection”

Feb 17 – May 10, 2025
Verger’s inaugural exhibition combined Director Song’s personal collection with curated works by international artists from France, Ukraine, Australia, Finland, Denmark, Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and Saudi Arabia.
Through diverse media such as painting and printmaking, the exhibition celebrated cultural coexistence, marking the beginning of Verger’s journey as a garden of international artistic exchange.

(2) “Metamorphosis — D.I.M.O Group Exhibition”

May 11 – May 31, 2025
29 artists from 13 countries (Portugal, Morocco, Switzerland, Korea, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, UK, Russia, etc.)
The exhibition, organized by the international art collective D.I.M.O, expressed the theme “We Are Here” — a declaration of artistic presence. Through paintings, photography, drawings, and video works, it explored identity and transformation. Featured in The Korea Times, the show highlighted Seoul’s evolving multicultural art scene.

(3) “Summer Folk Song” — Quynh Anh Le Solo Exhibition

July 1 – Aug 31, 2025
Artist: Quynh Anh Le (Vietnam)
This solo exhibition reinterpreted Vietnam’s rural landscapes through abstract visual language, capturing emotions and rhythms of daily life in soft, organic forms. The artist talk featured multilingual interpretation (Vietnamese–English–Korean), offering visitors a rare opportunity to experience cross-linguistic artistic communication.

(4) “Beyond Horizons” — Ahmed Laroussi Solo Exhibition

Sep 12 – Sep 26, 2025

Artist: Ahmed Laroussi (Tunisia)
A poetic exploration of humanity, technology, and freedom, this exhibition featured works such as Echoes of Silence and Luminous Flesh. Attended by the Ambassador of Tunisia and Middle Eastern guests, the event became a forum for cultural and linguistic dialogue.

(5) “Fables d’Orient et d’Occident” — Octhima Solo Exhibition

Oct 13 – Oct 27, 2025
Artist: Octhima (France/Marseille)
Inspired by Jean de La Fontaine’s fables and Korean folktales, the exhibition reimagined symbolic animals — foxes, tigers, turtles — to bridge Eastern and Western storytelling traditions. The show drew notable visitors including the Cultural Attaché of the French Embassy and members of SIWA (Seoul International Women’s Association), who held a “Coffee Morning” event celebrating art and cultural exchange.

(6) “Tinga Tinga Tanzanian Art” — Group Exhibition

Nov 1 – Nov 9, 2025

Featuring Martina Edward Tingatinga and Tanzanian artists
This landmark exhibition introduced Edward Saidi Tingatinga’s original works to Korea for the first time, presented by his daughter Martina. With the Ambassador of Tanzania in attendance, the exhibition honored the legacy and contemporary evolution of Tinga Tinga art, expressing Africa’s vitality and harmony between nature and humanity.

Verger Gallery Programs

1. Art & Flower Harmony (June 2025)
A floral art workshop connecting visual art and natural beauty, co-hosted by Japanese diplomats and Korean florists. Participants designed floral arrangements inspired by their favorite exhibited artworks.

2. Language Exchange Meetup (Monthly)
A multilingual cultural exchange where participants practice languages through conversations about art. Past themes included Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Arabic.

3. Learn from Artists
Workshops led by international artists (Romania, Indonesia, USA, France), offering hands-on experiences and cultural insights behind their creative processes.

4. Upcoming Programs

Book Club: Reading and discussion sessions linked to exhibition themes

Coffee Morning: Cultural gatherings with international associations like SIWA

Tea & Art Ceremony: Korean traditional tea rituals inspired by artworks

Perfume & Art Workshop: Creating scents that match artistic colors and moods

5. Art & Korean Project
A signature program in development that combines art appreciation with Korean language and culture learning, introducing a new model for global cultural education.

Future Plans & Vision (2025–2027)

1. Upcoming Exhibitions

Arab Group Exhibition / D.I.M.O Vol.5 (Nov 2025)

Indonesia, Philippines, France (Ceramics), USA, Portugal (2026)

Morocco & France Abstract Art (2026)

India & Pakistan Group Exhibition (2027)

2. Art Fairs & Global Collaborations
Verger will expand to international art fairs, supporting emerging artists and connecting them with global audiences.

3. Philosophy & Mission

“Our mission is to discover and introduce talented artists — both renowned and undiscovered — and to connect their stories through the universal languages of art and culture.”

4. Verger Online Gallery (Launching 2026)
A digital platform providing online exhibitions, artist interviews, and artwork sales — enhancing accessibility for global audiences and offering emerging artists greater exposure.