Landscape without Supermario, 2011, oil, acrylic, gouache and glitter on canvas, 250 x 200 cm
Gallery Hyundai will present Lucid Dreams, Jin Han Lee’s first solo exhibition in Korea, from November 6 to December 22, 2024. This exhibition traces Lee’s fifteen-year journey as an artist, from her start in London in 2010 to her eventual return to Korea. Known for blending abstraction with figuration, Lee’s work captures deeply personal emotions, from the estrangement felt through language barriers to the sadness of parting with loved ones.
The exhibition features Lee’s recurring motifs, such as feet, the sun and moon, and themes of love. These motifs shift and change within her compositions, creating a dynamic exploration of human relationships and emotions. Lee’s brushstrokes challenge traditional painting boundaries, often creating a push-and-pull effect that adds a unique sense of depth and movement to each piece. In some works, a single motif is the focus, while in others, multiple elements interact, forming a harmonious yet complex narrative.
Shower Thought, 2024, oil on linen, 200 x 180 cm
Lucid Dreams as a title reflects Lee’s desire to expand her personal stories into a shared resonance. Much like dreams that weave symbols into fragmented narratives, Lee’s paintings convey moments that are difficult to express in words. Her art captures these “untranslatable” feelings, allowing viewers to connect with emotions that transcend language, culture, and even the boundaries between different artworks.
Lee’s early works, created during her time in the UK, reflect her initial exploration of communication barriers. She viewed these barriers not as limitations but as openings to examine metaphorical language. This approach gave rise to motifs inspired by everyday encounters, turning simple moments into rich sources of creative inspiration.
Judge and Cellist, 2024, oil on linen, 180 x 200 cm
As her work evolved, Lee began weaving multiple motifs into complex narratives that address universal human experiences. In 2021, her experimentation with virtual reality (VR) during an artist residency led to new reflections on painting’s core language. This experience inspired her recent works, where she blends traditional brushstrokes with “pull” techniques that echo East Asian calligraphy, creating a unique intersection of Western and Eastern art forms.
The exhibition also highlights Lee’s journey of self-discovery, as she uses her art to explore the tension between individuality and universality. By opening her inner world to the public, she invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences of connection and disconnection. Her art speaks to the shared human longing for understanding and resonance beyond language.
Lee’s Lucid Dreams ultimately serves as a bridge between deeply personal experiences and universal emotions. Through vivid colors, bold motifs, and fluid compositions, her works offer a new way to view familiar emotions and memories. The exhibition encourages viewers to embrace their own “untranslatable” moments and find meaning in the shared experiences that connect us all.
Four Feet, Two People, 2024, oil on linen, 200 x 180 cm
Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
