The year 2023 marked a significant milestone for Seoul Children’s Grand Park, celebrating its 50th anniversary.
To commemorate the occasion, a special exhibition by Austrian painter Franz Brandner was held from July 14 to August 6.
The exhibition took place in the underground gallery of the park’s Octagonal Hall. The opening ceremony on July 14 welcomed several distinguished guests, including Austrian Ambassador Wolfgang Angerholzer, Park Director Son Sung-il, and Cultural Attaché Martin Casparek.
In addition, representatives from the Cambodian Embassy and Little Angels attended the event, joining in the celebration of this meaningful anniversary.
The opening ceremony was a memorable occasion that brought together people from various fields to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Seoul Children’s Grand Park.
Wolfgang Angerholzer, the Austrian Ambassador, delivered an uplifting speech, emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange and expressing his gratitude to Franz Brandner for his dedication.
Son Sung-il, Head of the park, also welcomed the guests with warm remarks.
Martin Casparek, Cultural Attaché of the German Embassy, gave a heartfelt speech, highlighting the strong connection between art and culture.
One of the highlights of the event was a special performance by the renowned Little Angels, a Korean children’s folk ballet troupe.
Their captivating and energetic performance added a vibrant atmosphere to the celebration. They performed four pieces: You Are My Sunshine, Arirang, Edelweiss, and Yodel.
The 50th anniversary of Seoul Children’s Grand Park was a great success, highlighted by a commemorative exhibition featuring the works of Austrian painter Franz Brandner.
The opening ceremony, attended by distinguished guests, along with a special performance by the Little Angels, added to the celebratory atmosphere.
The exhibition offered visitors a unique opportunity to experience Brandner’s work and artistic vision.
As it came to a close, the event left a lasting impression, deepening appreciation for art, cultural exchange, and the enduring legacy of the 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.
