House of Illustration
2 Granary Square
London
N1C 4BH
United Kingdom
"A rare glimpse into an isolated graphic culture" Financial Times
"Offers a new perspective by looking at everyday life there" Design Week
"A superb exhibition" ★★★★★ Londonist
The UK’s first ever exhibition of graphic design from North Korea.
Hundreds of original objects including food packaging, ticket stubs and stamps, together with hand-painted propaganda posters and comics, give an unprecedented insight into everyday life in the DPRK.
The exhibition displays the collection of Nicholas Bonner, the foremost expert on North Korean graphic culture, tourism and film, who has led tours to the country for 25 years.
It follows the release of his book Made in North Korea: Graphics from Everyday Life in the DPRK (Phaidon).
“This collection represents common objects given beautiful status by the hand-drawn graphics from North Korea’s most creative designers. Some of the work is elaborate but the basic designs too should not be overlooked – minimalistic simplicity creating beautifully rhythmic artwork.” Nicholas Bonner