Street Artist Whose $500,000 Painting Was Accidentally Defaced by Spectators in Seoul Gallery Finally Reacts

Street Artist Whose $500,000 Painting Was Accidentally Defaced by Spectators in Seoul Gallery Finally Reacts

Remember the couple who painted over an artwork worth $500,000 on display at an exhibition in South Korea, thinking it was participatory art? Well, it turns out the creator of the art they defaced isn’t reacting to the vandalism of his work like we would have imagined he would. In fact, he seemed amused by the whole saga and would even like to have tea with the accidental vandalists!

American street artist JonOne, born John Andrew Perello (who now lives in France) had painted the original artwork at a graffiti art show at the Seoul Arts Center in 2016. 

JonOne had carved out a niche for himself by painting Abstract Expressionist-style graffiti and his 240cm by 700cm untitled artwork valued at $500,000 was one of the 130 works on display for the 'Street Noise' art exhibition at Lotte World Mall, a gallery in Seoul, South Korea. However, the painting supplies and brushes that JonOne had used in its creation were scattered at the foot of the canvas, as the exhibition organizers considered them to be part of the art display. 

It was this that inspired the misguided art spectators to add their own splotches to the painting. But unfortunately for the accidental artists, their unintended work of vandalism was captured by the CCTV at the gallery and they were soon apprehended while walking through the mall. Authorities however let them go after establishing that it was an honest mistake and the couple had believed the art supplies and brushes present was an invitation for spectators to add their own touches to the artwork, a la participatory art.

Their escapade captivated the internet with some speculating that all the attention could increase the value of the piece and bring newfound fame to the original creator.

According to JonOne, when he first learned of the damage, his reaction was “what is this shit?” But then, “it made me think about how in today’s world we’re all so closely linked,” he told Vice. 

And as he registered the headline-making bizarre incident, the 57-year-old artist’s bemusement eventually gave way to graciousness, and he admitted that he might even thank the couple and he hopes “someday to have the opportunity to drink tea with them in Korea.”

“With just three brush strokes on my canvas, they have managed to cause a planetary buzz?!? There is strength in that,” JonOne told Vice.

The artist is still deciding whether or not to restore the painting to its original condition. It hasn't also been said who would be responsible for covering restoration costs. Meanwhile, the Seoul gallery is using the work’s new sensational infamy to help promote the show, which remains on view through mid-June.

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