Mongolia Hosts Its First Winter Art Residency on the Frozen Lake Khuvsgul - JAVAR 2026

Press Release

In March 2026, Mongolia marked a significant milestone in its contemporary art landscape with the launch of its first winter art residency - JAVAR (Frost in Mongolian), held in the remote taiga region of Khuvsgul. Organized by the independent collective OIR Art Hub, the residency brought together 10 Mongolian and international artists selected through an open call.

Set against the extreme conditions of one of Mongolia’s most pristine natural environments, the residency unfolded on the frozen surface of Lake Khuvsgul and its surrounding landscapes; an unprecedented setting for an art program in the country. This unique context positioned the residency as a pioneering initiative, exploring the intersection of environment, endurance, and artistic practice.

Developed under the curatorial concept “FROST – Inner and Outer Coldness,” the program invited artists to reflect on the dual nature of coldness: as both a physical force shaping the natural world and an internal state influencing human perception and emotion. Frost, in this framework, was approached not only as a condition of hardship, but also as a transformative and renewing force, one that redefines both landscape and self.

Throughout the residency, participating artists engaged directly with the harsh winter environment, producing works that respond to isolation, resilience, and ecological sensitivity.

The outcomes of the program; including artist talks, curatorial persentations, artistic research, and created Artworks have since been presented to the public in Ulaanbaatar throught divers events.

A documentary film capturing the residency process, along with the final presentations, is now available online via OIR Art Hub’s official YouTube platform, and on their website expanding access to wider audiences both locally and internationally.

As Mongolia’s first initiative of its kind, the Winter Residency at Khuvsgul establishes a new model for site-responsive, environmentally engaged art practices in extreme climates; further reinforcing the country’s growing presence within the global contemporary art discourse.

Discover more about the event:

www.oirarthub.org

Art Review: Ulziibat Enkhtur