Artwork damaged by couple who thought brushes and paint in front of piece were for visitors’ use
Piece was painted for a live audience in Seoul by American graffiti artist JonOne in 2016 and is now worth £360,000
Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
A couple in South Korea accidentally vandalised an art exhibition after mistaking a painting for a participatory piece.
The couple, a man and woman in their 20s, thought paint and brushes laid beneath the artwork were for visitors’ use and contributed black splotches to the piece.
The work, which was painted for a live audience in Seoul by American graffiti artist JonOne in 2016, is worth around $500,000 (£360,000).
The paint and brushes which were used in the live performance are regarded as integral parts of the artwork.
The couple was identified on CCTV footage as the culprits after staff spotted their fresh brushstrokes.
Read more:
- At least 48 killed in Taiwan train crash after carriages derail in tunnel
- Aung San Suu Kyi charged with violating secrets law
- Two teenage girls gang-raped in woods as they celebrated Holi festival in India
- Man smoking in restaurant throws hot soup at woman who asked him to stop
- Why well-heeled travellers are flocking to Kenya during lockdown
Kang Wook, the head of the exhibition at Seoul’s Lotte World Mall, told Reuters they were in discussions with the artist about restoring the painting.
The organisation decided not to press charges against the couple, who he said “made a mistake”.
“They thought they were allowed to do that as participatory art and made a mistake,” Mr Kang said.
Since the incident, the painting has been displayed elsewhere, now with a small fence in front of the graffiti with additional signs saying: “Do Not Touch”.
A reprensative for JonOne told ABC News the artist does not plan to respond to the incident.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments