North Korean Art

David Heather spent a decade trying to persuade the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to hold an art exhibition in the UK. He finally succeeded. Yesterday the show opened in North Korea's London embassy at 73 Gunnersbury Avenue, Ealing, for four days only. This is the first time the embassy has been open to the public. The four chosen artists, presumably the most brainwashed the authorities could find, are from the Mansudae Art Studio in Pyongyang. They were allowed a fortnight to paint scenes of London. Shown is Hong Song II standing beside his painting of the ceramic poppies round the Tower of London. Don't expect to find any animated cartoons of supreme leader Kim Jong-un doing acrobatics on his pogo stick (CLICK).