Thread of Namjoon's favorite artists (a continuing saga)

Kim Whanki (1913–1974), pioneer of abstract art. Ran away from his wealthy family to study art. Inspired by Matisse, Picasso, Rothko, and Newman. During the outbreak of the Korean War lived in a refugee camp. Moved to the US later in life.

Lee Ufan (1936-), a Korean minimalist paint and sculptor. Namjoon mentioned his special affection for the Wind series during Joon's visit to Busan's Museum of Art. After the Busan visit, the curator said, "It's not a coincidence that BTS' lyrics and songs (have such depth)."

Yi Eungro (1904-1989), a Korean-born French painter who was accused of spying for North Korea and was banned from SK for decades. He finally returned to SK in 1989 but died of a heart attack on the opening day of his exhibition in Seoul.

Yun Hyongkeun (1928-2007), a leading figure of the Korean Dansaekhwa art. He painted primarily with umber and blue. It is said in the Korean press that Namjoon owns several small paintings of his. If you recall, Namjoon went to Venice to see an exhibition.

Kim Chonghak (1937- ), a Korean modernist and contemporary artist who is known for his use of color during a time when modern art was known for its monochrome and minimalism. Korean press reports Namjoon owns work(s) of this artist.

Thibaud Herem, a French illustrator based in London. Known for his fine line illustrations of bugs, birds, animals, and buildings. It's speculated that Namjoon bought prints or originals last year.

Banksy, an anonymous British artist, vandal, political activist. In the infamous THR article, it said that BTS has a Banksy in their dorm. Namjoon has two replicas of Banksy items in his office.

Brian Kaws, an American pop culture artist known for his caricature of Mickey Mouse with the XX-ed out eyes. Namjoon and Hobi met/hung out with Kaws during his visit to Seoul in the summer of 2018. Namjoon has collected Kaws figurines for a long time.

Coarse Life is the name of the duo Mark Landwehr and Sven Waschk who design modern art sculptures. Namjoon has been collecting from the "jaws" series and met Landwehr in May 2019 during the SY tour.

Mark Rothko (1903-1970), an American painter of Lithuanian Jewish descent has been defined as an abstract expressionist. He was inspired by mythology and influenced by Nietzsche. https://twitter.com/modooborahae/status/1216031279822655489

George Nakashima (1905-1990), an American woodworker, architect and furniture maker. Namjoon visited the Nakashima workshop in PA. Prior to this visit, he displayed a small coffee table by the same in RKive. Based on the May 2019 visit, we anticipate a new piece.

Kwon Daesup (1952-) a contemporary ceramic artist known for the Moon Jar. Bc of the difficulty in creating these, Kwon produces only about six ceramic works a year. In 2014, a moon jar sold for w78K. Namjoon visited the artist's home sometime in the winter/fall 2019.

James Jean (1979-) a Taiwanese American visual artist. Namjoon visited and purchased “The Descendent" which was part of a limited run of 30 pieces, displayed at the Lotte Museum and made by a Seoul company.

Claude Monet (1840-1926) Founder of French Impressionism which is philosophy of expressing one's perceptions before nature. Namjoon mentioned his special love of Monet during the SY tour. He also wrote a message to ARMY on the back of a Monet postcard.

Hiroshi Senju (1958-) a Japanese Nihonga (using traditional instruments, paints, paper,techniques) painter specializing in large scale waterfalls cliffs and other similar landscapes. Namjoon mentioned him in a 2019 interview trans by @kocchi Taki (滝) is waterfall.

Kim HeeSoo (1984-) is a Korea painter began his People/Normal life series in 1997. The expressionless faces depicts the ordinary people and invites viewers to make their own interpretations. Namjoon posted photos of Kim’s art in 2019 and 2020.