Last week I got to take part in the Seoul Art Market - I was really pleased about this because there is a 'selection process' and however easy it is to get selected it still makes me feel accomplished.

You never really know what to expect at things like this and I approached with trepidation, but it turned out to be a brilliant day. In the shadow of the Sejong Centre (for those who don't know Sejong the Great is the Korean super king who invented the Korean language, hangul - quite a guy) it was a really nice, quiet and serene setting. There were loads of people there selling quality goods. I made some new friends, sold loads and got to practise my appalling Korean. Most importantly though it was also great to make some new followers (after giving out about a million cards) and a lot of people who were really into  art and were so enthusiastic - even if it isn't even in there own language! 

As a bonus I got interviewed for the Seoul Culture website, one of the bonuses of being as far as I could tell the only non Korean stall holder there! 

Such a great day and massive props to my lady without whose native language skill I never would have been there in the first place (this doesn't mean we share though, the money is mine). 

So a brilliant day - and I'm looking forward to going back again in September! 

Below: this guy was doing caricatures with his left hand (it was a thing). I assume he's not left handed.

Above: these two ladies were lovely and let me use their umbrella so I didn't burn my ridiculous bald head.

After a long absence last weekend I put on an exhibition in Cheong Ju, my Korean hometown and spiritual centre of Loz. Here are some photos from the exhibition - there was a great laid back atmosphere and it looked great, so thank you to everyone who turned up! The main room of the exhibition comprised 23 drawings framing a larger (6'x7') mural in the centre. 

In June I'm being featured in [b] racket magazine also, as the cover artist no less so watch this space for details! 

Jeonju is one of my favourite places in Korea for a variety of reasons. It's a really cool cultural centre with loads of beautiful landmarks (including a traditional Hanok Village) as well as loads of up to date cultural things going on like impromptu street music and a vibrant arts scene. 

So it was a massive pleasure to be part of the Jeonju International Film Festival last weekend. This is one of the biggest film festivals in Korea (up there with Busan and Seoul etc) and so it was a fantastic opportunity and good to contribute to CULTURE in my way

. As always in Korea, everyone was immensely friendly and helpful and I met some great people, foreigners and locals alike, including some brilliantly funny high school students and also a couple of kids who were keen to expand their English by reading my stuff (it works on so many levels). There was one slightly mysterious woman though who turned up and set her stall up only to promptly disappear never to be seen again until the end of the day when she dismantled her stall and went home. Interesting.

here are some photos.

Above: the JIFF - it got considerably busier than this and was a great day.

Below: the night marlet including someone singing unexpectedly, it was atmospheric and cool. 

There turned out to be two markets and after the day market at the film fest we packed up and went to the night market. This was held in on of my favourite places in all of the world, the covered art market near the Hanok Village (another stunning place especially at night). Here there are loads of cool independant shops selling all sorts of arty stuff, and often seemingly ad hoc (but presumably organised) gigs as well as loads of little cafes and different bits and pieces. I love hanging out there and to have the chance to take part in the market was a privilege. 

The only problem was finding it however, as my girlfriend had abandoned me to buy make up or something and even though I know the Korean (cheongnyonmall odesseoyeo) of course people still didnt get what I was on about and it went a bit like this : 

Me: Cheongnyonmall odesseoyeo?
Korean person: Uh?
Me: Cheongnyonmall odesseoyeo? (accompanied by some pointless hand gesture) 
KP: Uh? Boya? 
Me: Cheongnyonmall odesseoyeo? (now more fed up with this oft played out chirade)
KP: (Eventually) Oh, CheongnYONmall! (Literally the same word - then they don't know obviously)

And so on. Everyone who has lived in Asia will relate to this, I can only guess its just as hard for people learning English! 

Happy student people, they told me I was handsome so I liked them. 

Above left: the person on the stall next to me, I think she may have been dead.

Left: Music. This guy could wail man. 

Live from the Moon is an event I've been involved with before  (and actually won a prize at the sister 'Art from the Moon ' event by the same people) - the bands were great too including a guitarist who I swear was the ghost of Jimmy Page - they might not be that original, but they are definitely the best shit you've ever seen. 

The only sad aspect was that some elements had to be altered or cancelled due to the tragic ferry disaster (the painting I was making was iriginally to be on an outside stage in spray paints). However well done to the organisers for being sensitive and also raisning money for the relief fund. 

Now looking forward to several art markets coming up as well as a big event at the end of May. Also in the pipeline is a urban installation event as well as a new e-book hopefully as a free download - but more on that to come! 

So after the recent exhibition in Golmok Gallery in Itaewon, Seoul, the proprietor Jin Song has asked to keep some of the work permanently  - so if you want to see some artwork in the flesh, thats the place to go! 

Here's a slideshow of it and underneath a gallery if you want some bigger pictures.