SAMBYPEN
b.1992
Born in 1992, SAMBYPEN spent his early years in Europe and the US. He went to Parsons School of Design in New York but decided to drop out. The artist started to create parodies of commercial images, noticing the similarities between the propagandistic images of a socialist country and the billboards in Times Square, New York. SAMBYPEN began to build his career as an artist in 2015 by creating a work that parodies Bibendum, the Michelin mascot. After his first solo exhibition, the artist has held numerous exhibitions and developed into one of the most promising contemporary pop artists since his debut.
In his vital spirit of parody, the artist combines and reinterprets specific brands or culturally iconic objects. His early works were driven by personal emotions and experiences, while his recent works explore more of the societal issues that surround us. The artist humorously reproduces iconic paintings and movie posters by rearranging them and adding context. He creates unique characters, composes graphics with text and images, and employs visual modules like shape, size, and color to enhance the tactile experience.
Moreover, SAMBYPEN is known for its unique approach to working backward in technological development within modern society. He creates digital graphic designs on his computer before transferring them onto wood, which he then cuts with a machine. After painting the wood by hand, he finally implements it onto his canvas. This painting technique combines a standardized square canvas with a free-curved wooden object creating a three-dimensional effect. The artist's desire to blend technology and hand-painted colors shines through the technique, which seamlessly fuses modern innovation with classic methods.
According to the artist, the purpose of art in society is to offer a distinctive experience to all individuals rather than just a privileged few. The artist believes that this experience should help people break away from the confines of reality and view the world from a new perspective through his artistic vision. SAMBYPEN aims to connect with his audience, empowering them to be creative and free. The artist continues to create unique work that transcends genres and collaborates with companies and brands.
AUCTIONS
2020 ‘November Feast’ Christie’s
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2024 Salad Bowl, Project STAN LA, Los Angeles
2022 CONSPIRACY Vol.2, STANbyB, Seoul
CONSPIRACY Vol.1, Gallery STAN, Seoul
QUIZ?, 10 Department, Seoul
2020 Birth, Gallery STAN, Seoul
2019 Hallow, Lotte Avenuel Gallery, Seoul
2018 Monopoly, Gallery STAN, Seoul
2017 Experienced, Gallery STAN, Seoul
2016 Wasted, FIFTY FIFTY Gallery, Seoul
2015 TIRED, Drawing Blind, Seoul
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 Artistic Living, Space Logic Samchung, Seoul
I’m Gloomy Bear, Masscg, Seoul
Webridge Expo, Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas
The Rabbit Universe, Sinsa House, Seoul
2022 Rude Carnival, Lelia Mordoch Gallery, Miami
2019 Snoopy to the Moon, Lotte Museum, Seoul
2016 CCRT Aerospace Project, Studio Concrete, Seoul
Finding Addiction Exhibition & Live Painting, Louis Club, Seoul
2015 Kolon ‘Art of Life’, Toy Republic, Seoul
Art Edition, Hongik University, Seoul
NEOPOP, Gallery Mei, Seoul
ART FAIRS
2023 KIAF Plus, BEXCO, Seoul
Art Busan, BEXCO, Busan
2022 KIAF Plus, SETEC, Seoul
Art Busan, BEXCO, Busan
2021 KIAF, COEX, Seoul
Art Busan, BEXCO, Busan
2020 Urban Break, COEX, Seoul
Art Busan, BEXCO, Busan
2019 KIAF, COEX, Seoul
2018 ComplexCon, Long Beach, CA
2017 LA Art Show, LA
2016 Scope Art Show Miami, Miami
Art Busan, BEXCO, Busan
COLLABORATIONS
2022 Monami x Sambypen
PORSCHE NOW Wall Art
Casetify x Sambypen
Intel EVO x Sambypen Wall Art
GS25 x Won Soju <SAMBYPEN>
2021 Kakao Friends x Sambypen <CATs>
X-LARGE George’s Project <SAMBYPEN>
2020 Lotte World Graffiti
Samsung Galaxy
T1 Nike Wall Art
2019 L’Occitane ‘OMY’ Art Project 2019 X Large global collaboration
League of Legends 10th Anniversary Art Work
1Million Dance Studio Fashion Collaboration
Birkenstock Art Project
NIKE Air Max Exhibition Workshop
Customellow Art Project
2018 Doota Christmas Art Work
Baskin Robbins 31 x Sambypen
Coach signature art work @Seoul
