I was blown away when I first saw this new painting by Hendrik “ECB” Beikrich. The scale of this mural over 20+ stories and measuring 230 ft is astounding. ECB is a veteran artist who has been around the scene for some time focusing on monochromatic or black and white portraits. This painting was done in his traditional style and builds on his already important series of works “faces of hope and struggles”. ECB’s ability to create a stirring portrait that makes you contemplate for a second, then with a second glance gives you hope is impressive. The mural was made possible by Public Delivery.
Its hard to imagine some of the things that have been happening in our art form over the last couple of years. Having been artists for decades even at our most optimistic times we couldn’t have guessed that our peers would be painting the tallest mural in Asia on a skyscraper. Not being arrested in the yards was plus, dreaming of walls where we could paint what we wanted was always a thought not a reality. Forward to today where we are painting skyscrapers and changing the landscape of the worlds sky lines, this wasn’t even in my wildest dreams yet here we are. Today is a day where after 4 decades of hard fought struggles within our art form it is rising to the top, and literally to the top of cities around the world. We should all contemplate that for a second and remember were we have been, were we are, and what lies ahead. The sky is no longer the limit, and we definitely have no plans on stopping anytime soon. We thank all the artists such as ECB that are out there making history with each painting.
GF
“During the last week of August 2012, German painter Hendrik Beikirch, created not only a stunning work but an iconic piece that stretches over 70 meters (230 ft.) high and is yet to be considered as Asia’s tallest mural. Located in South Korea‘s second largest city, Busan, this piece showcases a monochromatic mural of a fisherman, set in contrast with the Haeundae I’Park building at the background, constructed by renowned architect Daniel Libeskind.
The Haeundae I’Park is a residential building and is also a symbol for the rapid development and accumulated wealth in Korea, a poor country not too long ago. The mural that depicts an image of a fisherman represents a significant portion of Korea‘s population that has not been affected by the economic growth and until now, lives under very different circumstances compared to their affluent neighbors.
Responsible for this project is Public Delivery, an organization who has made waves across Asia and Europe through the promotion of contemporary art.
The artwork will be on display for an indefinite period of time.
THE PAINTING
The mural presents a local fisherman in his 60’s, staring into an intangible space with his face marked with wrinkles, still wearing long plastic gloves – a sign that there are still men and women like him at this age working for a living. This dying profession entails six to seven days of work in a week, under difficult circumstances, while just receiving a minimum amount of financial support, just enough to buy certain needs.
However, despite the story behind the portrait, the painting conveys a positive message seen in the emotion shown by the fisherman. In addition, underneath it, Beikirch added a statement in Korean letters which roughly translate to “Where there is no struggle, there is no strength.”
Beikirch is known for his artworks set in monochromatic and detailed painting and this is no difference. Unlike other artists, he painted this mural without using a projector or a sketch on the wall. This, in its true form, is a masterful performance and a task that requires enormous routine and outstanding precision.
THE LOCATION
The painting is applied on the building of Busan‘s fisher union. It is located between Korea’s two most famous beaches, Haeundae (해운대해수욕장) and Gwangalli (광안리해수욕장), clearly visible from the latter. Over the past years, both beaches turned into excessive commercial areas and became heavy motors for the city‘s tourism, attracting mostly Korean, Japanese, Chinese and Russian travelers.
The building is also home to a fish market that provides the prosperous inhabitants of Busan, like those living in the Hyundai I’Park building, with Korean style raw fish (hoe, 회), a pricey delicacy that is similar to Japanese sashimi.”
