Honey bear exhibit opens inside Pink Painted Lady
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A timeline tracks the honey bears' backstories with photos and design notes. Photo: Courtesy of fnnch
In San Francisco, few public art displays have become more ubiquitous than the infamous honey bear — painted in bold colors with whimsical themes across walls, windows and businesses.
State of play: Now, the San Francisco street artist behind the artwork — who goes by the alias fnnch — is offering rare access to a coveted Painted Lady with a free exhibit featuring hundreds of original honey bear designs from the past decade.
Driving the news: The fnnch Museum, which opened July 23, transforms a major tourist destination into an art exhibit inside one of San Francisco's most photographed homes.
By the numbers: 1,476 people visited the exhibit last week — nearly double the turnout from the week prior, per fnnch.
Between the lines: All 116 honey bear editions will be showcased in one space for the first time.
- The exhibit includes a timeline of most of the honey bears' origins with photos and design notes, plus more than 250 handmade placards.
What they're saying: "I believe art is for everyone and these artworks have been my attempt to make quality paintings more accessible," fnnch told Axios via email.
Yes, but: What began as playful street art in 2015 has since drawn backlash among critics, who say that fnnch's honey bears have come to symbolize gentrification, cultural homogenization and widespread displacement in a city struggling with deepening inequalities.
Our thought bubble: Although the show presents a unique opportunity to visit a historic landmark, Nadia thinks it's likely to reignite debate over privilege and visibility in public art.
- Claire has desperately wanted to go inside a Painted Lady, and this exhibit was a great way to get a peek. It was filled with a mix of tourists and locals, and she thought everyone left with a newfound appreciation for the city's quirkiness.
If you go: Registrations are open through Aug. 31; plans are to run the show until October. Open Wednesdays through Sundays from noon to 8pm at 714 Steiner St.