Gachi: Surroundings and Companions

Aim

Creating shared value by connecting Korean artists with the New Malden community through art and dialogue.

We are 4482 (SASAPARI), a London-based arts platform founded in 2007, dedicated to connecting the UK and South Korea through contemporary art. Named after the international dialling codes (44 and 82), we have supported over 350 artists and, since our rebranding in 2017, have delivered six exhibitions alongside an ongoing programme of artist talks, workshops, and interviews.

Our work focuses on fostering meaningful and sustained connections — not only between artists and institutions, but also between artists and the communities in which they live. Through carefully curated projects, we create accessible environments where cultural exchange can take place in a natural and inclusive way.

In 2026, we will present Gachi: Surroundings and Companions across three exhibition chapters (April–May, August, and November–December), transforming a local café in New Malden into a shared cultural space.

New Malden is home to one of the largest Korean communities in Europe. Despite this, there remain limited opportunities for meaningful engagement between Korean artists and local residents through contemporary art. This project seeks to address that gap by situating artistic practice within an everyday, community setting.

Across the programme, we will deliver:

• 3 exhibitions (13 April - 17 May, 1-31 August, 9 November - 13 December)
• 3 artist talks, exploring how personal histories and lived experiences are translated into artistic practice
• 3 community workshops, offering accessible, hands-on creative engagement
• An open exhibition environment that invites visitors to encounter art within their daily routines

Together, these activities will support deeper connections between artists and audiences, and encourage reflection on place, identity, and belonging.

The funds raised will contribute directly to:

• Artist fees for talks and workshops
• Workshop materials and facilitation costs
• Documentation and digital archiving (video and online content)
• Printed materials and local promotion to broaden community engagement

Rooted in the themes of Gachi: Surroundings and Companions, the project reflects on how our environments and relationships shape our sense of self. It offers a space for both artists and audiences to pause, connect, and engage with shared experiences.

With this support, the café will be temporarily reconfigured as a living gallery space, where contemporary art is embedded within the rhythms of everyday life. Over the course of the programme, it will function as a shared cultural setting for artists and the local community.

🌿 Supporter Benefits

As a gesture of appreciation, supporters will receive:

• Invitations to Private View (opening events)
• Priority booking for workshops and talks
• Acknowledgement in project materials and online platforms

Funding method

Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made by 19th June 2026 at 12:00pm