From December 11 to December 25, 2024, Keumsan Gallery and Dong San Bang Gallery will jointly host a retrospective exhibition, Heavy Sketchbook, celebrating the life and work of Lee Jong Bin (1954–2018). Renowned as a trailblazer in modern Korean sculpture, this exhibition brings together a collection of Lee’s works to revisit his artistic journey and contributions to contemporary art.

The retrospective offers a rare opportunity to explore Lee’s evolution as an artist, featuring pieces that range from his deeply introspective sketches to his three-dimensional sculptures. His works often grappled with themes of human existence, inner consciousness, and spirituality. The exhibition highlights Lee’s relentless experimentation with form and materials, showcasing his ability to reinterpret traditional sculptural practices through a modern lens.

Born in 1954, Lee Jong Bin graduated from Hongik University’s Department of Sculpture in 1979 and later earned his master’s degree there in 1981. He furthered his education in Italy, studying at the Rome National Academy of Fine Arts and graduating from the Carrara National Academy of Fine Arts in 1988. As a professor at Hongik University and Kyung Hee University, he influenced generations of sculptors. His achievements earned him accolades such as the Korean Art and Culture Award and presidential and ministerial commendations. Lee’s works are part of prestigious collections, including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the Ho-Am Art Museum.

Lee’s sculptures and drawings reflect the tensions and transformations of his era. As a member of the postwar generation, he navigated a rapidly changing socio-cultural landscape, using his art to probe the complexities of his time. This exhibition sheds light on the layered contexts that informed his practice, from the challenges of Korea’s art scene in the late 20th century to the personal struggles that shaped his creative voice.

One of Lee’s defining traits was his unwavering honesty as an artist. He approached sculpture with a determination to translate his experiences, emotions, and ideas into tangible forms. His works often required extensive experimentation with materials and techniques, as he sought to challenge conventional boundaries and redefine the possibilities of sculpture.

Lee’s Heavy Sketchbook embodies this ethos of transformation and experimentation. The exhibition includes drawings that reveal his process of conceptualizing form and structure, alongside sculptures that merge abstract and figurative elements. The juxtaposition of his sketches and completed works invites viewers to trace the progression of his ideas, providing insights into his artistic process and vision.

Critics have praised Lee’s commitment to capturing the essence of human experience through sculpture. His works often juxtapose the solidity of physical form with the fluidity of thought, creating a dialogue between materiality and abstraction. His sculptures resonate with a quiet intensity, reflecting both the weight of existence and the resilience of the human spirit.

This retrospective is not merely a celebration of Lee Jong Bin’s achievements but also an invitation to reflect on the broader cultural and historical contexts that shaped his art. By revisiting his work, audiences are encouraged to engage with the timeless questions of identity, memory, and creativity that lie at the heart of his practice.

Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com