Galerie Vazieux is presenting a unique exhibition at Kiaf SEOUL, ‘The Three Lees, A Korean Saga’. The booth of Galerie Vazieux is surrounded by the works of artist couple Lee Ung-no and Park In-kyung, and their son, Young-sé Lee, who is also an artist.
“Family Lee left Korea in 1958 and settled in France in 1960. Lee Ung-no and Park In-kyung were influenced by Paris avant-garde movement and the couple experimented with new techniques and abstract aesthetics opened up a new avenue of artistic expression. There son Young-sé Lee, also, was influenced by his father and attended the Académie de la Grande Chaumière and the École des Beaux-Arts. We select major works that represent the family’s Parisian periods and highlight the modernity and multifaceted nature of their work,” said manager of Galerie Vazieux. |
| ▲ Lee Ung-no, People, 1984, Ink, vegetal and mineral color on hanji paper, 69 x 67 cm. Photo by Rachel Bae |
Lee Ung-no is considered as a pioneer of Korean contemporary art. He combined Eastern and Western art with works that express humans in a modern abstract style. His work was always bound to Korean historical events : independence from Japan, the Korean War, and the Democratization Movement. This is the reason why people called him the most Korean artist.
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| ▲ Park In-kyung, Matin Calme, 2006, Ink on hanji paper, 81 × 102.5 cm. Photo by Rachel Bae. |
Park In-kyung, she is the first generation of Korean woman painter and also known as Lee Ung-no’s wife. She won the First Prize for Painting at The National Art Exhibition of The Republic of Korea. Her works, which were painted by black ink and natural pigments on hanji paper, immerse people because they reflect her emotions.
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| ▲ Young-sé Lee, Reflets d'hiver, 2022, Ink, vegetal and mineral color, Acrylic on hanji paper,135 x 135 cm. Courtesy of Galerie Vazieux. |
Young-Sé Lee started painting in the studio of his father, Lee Ung-no, and he attended the Académie de la Grande Chaumière and the École des Beaux-Arts. His resolutely contemporary work is rooted in the Asian tradition, both on the thematic and technical level. Nature is his main source of inspiration and it represents him in a spontaneous and informal way.
Young-Sé Lee invented a unique stamping technique which is consisted of carving abstract motifs on a rough wooden panel. On this template he applied damp and dyed hanji paper, which is adapted to the shape of the motifs carved on the wood. When it was dry, he removed the paper embossed by the shapes and mounted it onto the surface of the work. Lee's unique texture is created by repetition of these processes. His works were painted with natural and subtle pigments from Korea.
The booth of one family’s works give the impression that the space shows Korean art history. It is unusual direct style at art fair because most of galleries want to exhibit various artists and styles.
“This exhibition has been organized thanks to the support of Park In-kyung, who is 97 years old, and her son Young-sé Lee, custodian of his father’s works. All the works exhibited originate from the Lee family’s estate,” said Galerie Vazieux.
“This exhibition is devoted to the legendary and committed artist Family Lee. It is an honor to exhibit our unique booth at Kiaf SEOUL 2022,” Galerie Vazieux added.
Galerie Vazieux Founded in 1999 by Sabine Vazieux, the gallery specializes in postwar Western and Asian abstract painting. In 2018, the gallery space was moved to rue du Louvre – near the Pinault Collection and the Louvre Museum.
Galerie Vazieux booth is in A46 and will run a booth until September 6.
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Rachel Bae sungmin.b.213@gmail.com
