While 63 percent of North Koreans are estimated to work in manufacturing, mining, transportation, government and similar fields, a lucky few are part of a huge artistic center.

 Mansudae Art Studio, north of Pyongyang, is one place said to employ 700 artists and a staff of 4,000 who produce paintings, posters and sculptures. Much of the output from the government-run site is propaganda art and socialist realism, but Huffpo reports there is a range, and while perhaps not cutting-edge, includes international commissions and non-political art.

A big picture of North Korea's "art scene" remains hidden, yet, recently, North Korean artists have been shown in London and South Korea. And Western collectors are taking notice---according to Mansudae's website the catalog  North Korea: a Unique Country presents the 210 North Korean works created for the Luciano Benetton Collection.