LEE KANG WOOK SO LO EXHIBITIO N Paradoxical Space : Gestural Abstraction
Gallery Huue Sinagpore
The Gesture 16023 2016, mixed media on canvas, 80×130cm
The Gesture 16020 2016, mixed media on canvas, 80×130cm
The Gesture 16030 2016, mixed media on canvas, 61×91cm
The Gesture 16029 2016, mixed media on canvas, 61×91cm
The Gesture 16016 2016, mixed media on canvas, 90×146cm
Installation View at Gallery Huue Sinagpore
The Gesture 16010 2016, mixed media on canvas, 97×162cm
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
Paradoxical Space : Gestural Abstraction
Artist Kang-wook Lee has been chosen as the selected artist of Gallery HUUE’s
Paradoxical Space: Gestural Abstraction | The major subject of Lee’s abstract
first exhibition in 2017. In 2013, Lee successfully finished his solo exhibition at
painting was a study on the invisible world or of the imaginary world where
Gallery HUUE, and numerous collectors now own his works. We look forward
the two contrasting concepts co-exist. In his new series, The Gesture, the artist
to seeing the success of yet another exhibition of Kang-wook Lee at Gallery
solves his concerns about the essence of painting, and leaves traces of his
HUUE – three years after his first solo exhibition in Singapore.
painterly-like actions. The artist stated: “I asked some basic questions, such as what painting is and why I am painting.” To Lee, a lot of these questions
Lee began to stand out among many young artists after he swept various
were raised when studying in London. His paintings are created by using
significant prizes in the leading contests across South Korea in his mid-20s
traces of paints which are repeatedly spread by a sponge, or blown by mouth
Crystal Cho
where he managed to sell all of his submitted exhibition works. After his
on top of colorful backgrounds. The resulting colors, from numbers of layers,
Creative Director, Gallery HUUE
initial success, he went to study in England in order to expand internationally,
exist like individual tones rather than colors. The detailed drawings on top of
and spent the duration of seven years finishing his master’s and doctoral
those layered colors look like they are showing off a special technique which
studies. While studying in England he continued his career as an artist, and
required great effort at a glance, but they are actually the ones that reveal the
participated in several group exhibitions. He held a solo exhibition not only in
identity of painting while creating ‘illusory’ spaces. Color is not just a visual
England and South Korea - but also in Japan and Singapore. Upon his return
phenomenon, but an organic being which arouses abstract feelings and gives
to Korea, after finishing his studies in his final year, Lee signed an exclusive
an opportunity to reconsider existing meaning to the artist. Therefore, although
contract with the Arario Gallery, run by one of the world’s top 100 art
the artist uses diverse colors in his works, each work is completed in a single
collectors, Chang-il Kim, and became a professor at the prestigious art school
tone with delicate touches, and leaves his audience’s eyes glued to the canvas.
at Hongik University. The course of his life henceforth demonstrates how
Contrasting concepts of the world depicted in his works allow organic
sincerely Lee has built his career as an artist.
beings to exist neither too heavily nor too lightly within his painting, as referenced within the title of his thesis for his doctorate in London, Aesthetics
I first met the works of Kang-wook Lee nine years ago at an acquaintance’s
of Moderation. In Kang-wook Lee’s painting, when moderation and
business space, and finally had the opportunity to meet with the artist when
discernment, contemplation and echoes of the inner side, and painting-ness
I opened my gallery and invited him to participate in one of the group
and decorativeness coexist, the gestures in the paradoxical world are seen like
exhibitions. In 2013, I grew more and more interested in his painting world
forms of imagination beyond their original meanings.
after taking the initiative to invite him to the solo exhibition at the gallery in Singapore.
The New World | Abstract paintings can typically be divided into two groups, depending on their purpose. One group is subjective abstraction, with the
My first impression of Kang-wook Lee’s abstract painting was the image of
enthusiastic expressions of an artist’s inner world in irregular forms and colors,
some sort of refinement, which was neither too light nor too heavy. There
and the other is hard-headed abstraction, with a minimum form and color in a
was no specific form in his abstract painting, but small and big dots were
moderated background with typical elements such as vertical and horizontal
repeatedly drawn like some kind of a cell in layers, and they visually broke the
lines and circles. Unlike many abstract artists, who rely on imagery and
flatness of the surface and created a new form within the distance. I observed
expression rather than a story, Kang-wook Lee’s works can have philosophical
how much those visualized forms finely glittered under sparkling beads, or on
and scientific explanations. Lee’s current paintings even feature a double-
top of spreads of paint in Lee’s abstract painting. This exhibition in Singapore
sidedness which enables him to continuously study his basic action of painting.
aims to examine the changes and aspects of Lee’s works in the existing series,
Thus, his paintings which evoke both emotional and intellectual aspects must
Invisible Space, and a new series, The Gesture.
be considered the new neo-abstraction. His very structured yet free, cold but soft, and empty yet full works convey both primitive and modern feelings,
Invisible Space | The artist has consistently established his art world, since the
dependent on the change of colors. As the opposite or contrasting elements
1990’s, by studying macroscopic and microscopic worlds. When the artist
are layered and mixed in one space, new originality is created, as if the thesis-
worked in the subject of the similarity of those two worlds, he understood that
antithesis-synthesis paradigm has been applied.
the elements in both of these worlds could be seen as one, based on what he had continuously studied in the Upanishads, the ancient Hindus collection of texts of religious and philosophical nature. His paintings, with delicate lines and light colors floating upon surfaces, initially resemble cells in an extremely abstract image, but as they are viewed more closely they seem to represent a big space which cannot be estimated if it was viewed from its wideness, or from the unified space of macroscopic and microscopic worlds. Kang-wook Lee’s painting, Invisible Space, studies the imaginary world where his two contrast concepts of space exist, and simultaneously visualizes traces of senses.
The Gesture 16011 2016, mixed media on canvas, 97×162cm
The Gesture 16012 2016, mixed media on canvas, 97×162cm
The Gesture C16001 2016, mixed media on canvas, Ø40cm
The Gesture C16002 2016, mixed media on canvas, Ø40cm
Installation View at Gallery Huue Sinagpore
Invisible Space 15060 2015, mixed media on canvas, 80×130cm
Invisible Space 15063 2015, mixed media on canvas, 90×90cm
Invisible Space 15064 2015, mixed media on canvas, 90×90cm
Invisible Space 15061 2015, mixed media on canvas, 80×130cm
Invisible Space 15062 2015, mixed media on canvas, 90×90cm
Installation View at Gallery Huue Sinagpore
LEE KANG WOOK
1976 Born in Ulsan
KIAF, COEX, Seoul
2001 Graduated from Department of Painting, College of Fine Arts,
Before Becoming Renowned, Gallery Mano, Seoul
Sketch-Incompletion for Completion or Completion for
Hongik University (B.F.A), Seoul, Korea
2013 SURFACE, Chelsea Futurespace, London
2003 Graduated from Graduate School of Department of Painting,
KIAF, COEX, Seoul
Cutting Edge, Seoul Auction Center, Seoul
Hongik University (M.F.A), Seoul, Korea
Generation, Hongik Museum of Art, Seoul
Red Heaven, Changdong National Art Studio, Seoul
2004 The 3rd Resident Artist, Changdong National Art Studio
2012 R.E.D(Reality Equals Dream), Art On Gallery, Singapore
The 10th Contemporary Art of Korea and Japan,
(National Museum of contemporary Art, Korea)
2011 Graduated from MA in Fine Art,
Moorhouse Art / Albemarle Gallery, London
Chelsea College of Art and Design, UK (M.A)
2015 Graduated from Professional Doctorate in Fine Art,
Barbara Frigerio Contemporary Art, Milan, Italy
Seoul Gallery, Seoul
University of East London, UK
2011 Korean Collective Basel 2011,
Leonhard Ruthmuller - Contemporary Art, Basel, Switzerland
Gyeonggi Arts Center, Suwon, Korea
An Exhibition of Korean Contemporary Art, Korean Collective Milan
Korean Collective Den Haag 2011,
Invited Exhibition by Gallery Demain,
Incompletion, Gallery Demain, Seoul
Chikyudo Gallery, Tokyo, Japan 2003 Self-demonstration, Gallery Chang, Seoul
Inspection of Contemporary Arts, Tokyo-ten, Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Japan
PRESENT
He works and lives in London and Seoul.
Galerie Boordeinde Noordeinde, Den Haag, Netherlands
Professor of Department of Painting,
College of Fine Arts, Hongik University
2010 Korean Collective London 2010,
Albemarle Gallery, London, UK
Jongro Gallery, Seoul
Degree Show, Chelsea College of Art and Design, London, UK
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2009 Artist of Tomorrow, Gallery Rho, Seoul
2017 Gallery Huue, Singapore
2016 ARARIO Gallery, Seoul
Andy's Gallery, Seoul
63 Art Museum, Seoul
Lee Kang-wook & Hong Sung-chul Exhibition, Lee Kang-wook & Ban Joo-young Exhibition,
2014 Tokyo Gallery, Tokyo
Gallery MANO, Seoul
2013 Art On Gallery, Singapore
2012 Asia House, London
Woorim Gallery, Seoul
Hada Contemporary, London
The Light of Korean Contemporary Painting, The True of Retina, Interalia, Seoul
2011 Gallery Rho, Seoul
2008 Project Overview - New Landscape, Insa Art Center, Seoul
2007 Gallery Rho, Seoul
Emergentism, Edge Gallery, Hong Kong
KAMI’s Choice: The Soul of Korean Contemporary Art,
Hino Gallery, Tokyo
The 9th Contemporary Arts of Korea and Japan,
2002 Curator Museum of Xi.an, Xi.an History Museum, Xi.an, China
Invited Exhibition by Jongro Gallery - ‘Yea.Dong.Jeon.Wha’, Multifarious Colours in Shinchon, Hyundai Art Galley, Seoul
2001 G.P.S ‘4 Inductions’, Hongik University Museum of Contemporary Art, Seoul
Jeongok Archaeology Install Art Festival -
Connection-Chongoknian, Jeongok Archaeology Museum, Yeonchun, Korea 2000 The 11th Misulsegae Grand Art Exhibition, Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Seoul
The 31st University Art Festival,
Sungkyunkwan University Art Gallery, Seoul
2006 Spring Gallery, Shanghai, China
Insa Art Center, Seoul
2005 Galerie de Temps, Tokyo
Avenuel Exhibition ‘The Blooming Soul’, Gallery Avenuel, Seoul
2003 The 3rd Songeun Grand Art Exhibition : Support Prize
Cheltenham Art Center, Philadelphia, U.S.A
25 Key word showing Young Trend of
2002 The 24th Joong-Ang Fine Arts Competition : Grand Prize
Gallery Will (Gana Art Center), Seoul
Korean Contemporary Art, Insa Art Center, Seoul
2002 The 25th Dong-A Art Festival : Dong-A Art Grand Prize
2004 Gallery Rho, Seoul
2007 Art Arco, Madrid, Spain
2001 The 15th National Grand Fine Art Exhibition : Grand Prize
Gallery Ju-ichi Gatsu, Tokyo
SELECTED AWARDS
Lee Kang-wook & La Yoo-seul Exhibition, Gallery MANO, Seoul
2002 Total Art Museum, Jangheung, Korea
H · art ‘Speed Up’, Hyundai Motor Company, Seoul
SELECTED COLLECTIONS(PUBLIC)
55 Contemporary Artists Selected by Critics under
Ho-am Art Museum
Hanjeon Plaza Gallery, Seoul
The Sponsorship of Monthly Chosun, Seoul Art Center, Seoul
Seoul Museum of Art
SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2006 Small Painting · Large Mind, Rho Gallery, Seoul
National Museum of Contemporary Art
2016 Art Stage, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Beijing International Art Exposition,
The 34th Korea Galleries Art Fair, COEX, Seoul
Exhibition Hall of China World Trade Center, Beijing, China
Art Basel Hong Kong,
Convention and Exhibition Center, Hong Kong
Asian Art Biennale Bangladesh,
National Theatre Auditorium, Bangladesh
Contemporary Art of Korea and Japan,
ONO Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
We Meet Prague-Korea, Contemporary Art 16 Artists
Joint Exhibition, Galerie Passage, Prague, Czech Republic
A Trio Exhibition, Gallery Happiness of the Art, Seoul
Korea International Art Fair (KIAF), COEX, Seoul
2005 Blue, Gana Art Center, Seoul
2015 Art Stage, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Organic Form, Chosun Art Gallery, Seoul
Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Samsung Medical Center Hyundai Motor Company Korea East-West Power co., Ltd. Ulsan District Court Samsung Hotel LS Industrial Systems co., Ltd.
KIAF, COEX, Seoul
LG Fashion
Touching Moments in Macau, Insa Art Center, Seoul
Seoul Young Artist Exhibition - Portfolio 2005,
KyoWon Group
Doctorate Degree Show, AVA Gallery, London
Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul
Urban Eco - 3rd Vornado Art Fan Show, Insa Art Center, Seoul
Beyond the Visible, Nook Gallery, Seoul
Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul
KIAF, COEX, Seoul
2014 Power of Five Young Artists, Rho Gallery, Seoul
The 1st Seoul Young Artist Biennial, For the Mutual Understanding of Contemporary Arts
between Korea and America,
Minimum vs Maximum, Art Center White Block, Paju Heyri, Korea
Cheltenham Art Center, Philadelphia, U.S.A
Showcase, AVA Gallery, London
Ode to Youth: Korean – China Young Artists Exhibition,
2004 Happiness-Art Travel with CJ & Eleven,
Hongik Museum of Art, Seoul
My Private Gallery, Gana Art Center, Seoul
Josun-ilbo Art Museum, Seoul
Marriott Hotel Coreana Cosmetics co. Ltd City 7 Hotel Centum Leaders Mark KASCO
LEE KANG WOOK SO LO EXH IBITI O N Paradoxical Space : Gestural Abstraction 12 January - 24 February 2017 Gallery Huue Sinagpore
OPENING RECEPTION 17 January Tue. 6pm GALLERY OPENING HOURS Monday to Friday 10am - 7pm Saturday, Sundays and public holidays (by appointment only)
Presented by
Gallery Huue creative director
Crystal Cho curator
Shinae Hwang photography by
Jung Hyun Mok Ho Hyoung Lee design by
zisangegi print by
Top Process, Seoul
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