The Art of Banksy to premiere in Seoul next month

The exhibition, "The Art of Banksy: Without Limits," will be showcased for the first time in Asia from July 30 in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. Courtesy of The Art of Banksy

By Park Han-sol

This summer, Korea will welcome the Asian premiere of "The Art of Banksy: Without Limits," a celebrated showcase of more than 130 works associated with arguably the most fascinating and enigmatic British graffiti master and activist at present. The Seoul exhibition will be mounted in the Seouliteum in Seongsu-dong from July 30 and will run until Feb. 6 of next year.

Since its debut in Istanbul in 2016, "The Art of Banksy" has already generated buzz and excitement in other major cities worldwide, including Amsterdam, Berlin, Melbourne and Vienna. Now, Seoul steps up as its first host in Asia.

A variety of original and recreated pieces of Banksy's work ― murals, photos, prints, sculptures and installations ― will be presented both in physical form and video projection mapping. An accompanying 13-minute-long documentary will offer a glimpse into the life and work of the artist beyond the veil.

Some of the most iconic pieces on display include "Girl with Balloon," which was voted in 2017 as the nation's number one favorite artwork in the U.K., "Bomb Hugger," "Jack and Jill (Police Kids)," "Pulp Fiction" and "Flower Thrower," among other compelling pieces.

"The Art of Banksy" is known for having a unique visual setting in each of its host cities. In Seoul, the 1,500-square-meter gallery space at the Seouliteum will be transformed into an immersive street graffiti scene, offering a rare opportunity for people in Korea to witness in one place a large collection of Banksy's art with their trademark tongue-in-cheek statements.

The U.K. artist, who has ventured from street graffiti to paintings, installations and even film, is best known for remaining anonymous while refusing to shy away from depicting often anti-establishment, politically charged slogans in his works. Disturbing, controversial subjects appear throughout the cities and on his canvas in a poetically ironic and humorous way.

Sometimes, his subversive message is performed through stunts, when the iconic "Girl with Balloon" was self-shredded just moments after it was auctioned off for more than a million euros at Sotheby's in London in 2018. His immediately recognizable works are observed on city walls and in streets from Bristol to San Francisco, Barcelona, Paris and Sydney.

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