IWAF International
Brushstrokes of Solidarity
The International Women Artists Federation (IWAF) is a global art organisation founded in September 2018 in Gwangju, Republic of Korea by Artist Dr Yuen Chee Ling . It was established by women artists from 24 countries and regions and is uniquely run by women for women. Most artists in IWAF have met over the past 30 years through their shared membership in the International Women Artist Ciuncil ( INWAC) based in Penang , Malaysia . Now , these artists are members of IWAF .
IWAF aims to enhance members’ artistic capabilities, promote art’s transformative power in addressing social issues, inspire cultural understanding and empathy, and foster international peace and goodwill.
IWAF empowers women to use their art and creativity as a tool for advocacy, amplifying their voices to drive positive change in their communities and beyond.
The organisation advances this mission by hosting exhibitions and conferences across countries, fostering cultural exchange, friendship, and solidarity among women. Through these gatherings, it also promotes social work and drives meaningful social change, empowering women to collaborate on initiatives that uplift communities and create lasting impact.
IWAF is more than an exhibition.
It's a collective heartbeat echoing across borders.
When women artists come together to meet, discuss and exhibit their artworks, they do more than showcase their creativity; they create opportunities for dialogue, understanding, and transformation.
These gatherings serve as a platform for women to express their unique perspectives, share their cultural experiences, and communicate their personal and collective stories.
By doing so, they highlight important social issues, challenge stereotypes, and bring visibility to the diverse narratives that often go unheard.
Historic background of IWAF
The IWAF operates on a democratic guiding philosophy. The IWAF President’s role rotates bi-annually and is assumed by a representative from the country hosting the next IWAF International Women Artists Exhibition.
In May 2019, IWAF held its first exhibition and cultural exchange activities in Moscow, Russia. During the conference, the chairperson of IWAF Mauritius, Angel Angoh, presented a paper on “Art as a Rehabilitation Tool in Prisons in Mauritius since 1999.”
In September 2024, the last IWAF International Women’s Exhibition was held in Gwangju, Korea, hosted by Jungsuk Noh, the IWAF-Gwangju representative and president of IWAF 2024.
In October 2025, Mauritius will host the IWAF exhibition and conference.
