The year 2023 marked a significant milestone as the Seoul Children’s Grand Park celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special exhibition by Austrian painter Franz Brandner. From July 14th to August 6th, the event took place at the underground exhibition hall of the park’s Octagonal Hall. The opening ceremony on July 14th was graced by distinguished guests, including Wolfgang Angerholzer, the Austrian Ambassador to South Korea, Son Sung-il, Head of Seoul Children’s Grand Park, and Martin Casparek, the Cultural Attaché of the German Embassy in South Korea. The event was attended by various individuals, including officials from the Cambodian Embassy and Little Angels, who gathered to pay tribute to this remarkable milestone.
The opening ceremony of the exhibition was a memorable event that brought together individuals from different fields to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Seoul Children’s Grand Park. Wolfgang Angerholzer, the Austrian Ambassador, delivered an uplifting speech, highlighting the importance of cultural exchanges between nations and showed a gratitude to Franz Brandner who have dedicated. Son Sung-il, the Head of the park, extended his warm greetings to the attendees, Martin Casparek, the Cultural Attaché of the German Embassy, also gave a heartfelt speech, highlighting the connection between art and culture.
One of the highlights of the event was the special performance by the renowned The Little Angels, a Korean children’s folk ballet troupe. Their captivating and energetic performance added an extra layer of celebration to the occasion. They performed four songs: “You are my sunshine,” “Arirang,” “Edelweiss” and “Yodel.”
The 50th-anniversary celebration of Seoul Children’s Grand Park was a grand success, marked by the commemorative exhibition featuring the works of Austrian painter Franz Brandner. The opening ceremony, graced by esteemed guests, and the exceptional performance by Little Angels added an extra layer of festivity to the occasion. The exhibition itself provided art enthusiasts and visitors with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of Brandner’s masterpieces. As the exhibition concluded, attendees were left with a sense of appreciation for art, culture, and the enduring legacy of Seoul Children’s Grand Park.
H.E. Wolfgang Angerholzer's Opening Speech
Franz Brandner has been living with his family in Korea for many years. His career as an independent artist is exemplified by a wide array of exhibitions in Korea and abroad, such as in the United States, France, Germany and Japan. The 50th anniversary of the “Children’s Grand Park” has inspired him to new works featuring this recreational zone at the heart of Seoul and its dwellers.
Franz Brandner was born in Austria, in Steyr in Upper Austria. Travelling abroad he was inspired by foreign cultures. In his art works he reflects impressions through his own visual language and futuristic images. Brandner’s inspiration for his works stems from daily life encounters with objects, nature, people or specific situations.
His dedication for nature and people manifests itself in his expressive style.In his current series of works, Playground Stories, he brings to life the vibrant energy and excitement found at playgrounds. He portrays children at play, their energy and their enjoyment.
Franz Brandner’s style of painting is characterized by intense colors and evokes emotions, he invites us to a new world where reality and imagination merge. Thus, we detect the unknown, the mysterious, the mystical and the fantastic in his paintings.As an artist living and working in Seoul, Franz Brandner serves as a bridge between the people living in Korea and Austria.
I am grateful, that we can admire his recent works today. I thank the organizers and, above all, the artist for having made it possible.
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