Young-Soo KIM

**Artist Introduction of Lee Jeong Won (LEE, JEONG WON)**

Born in 1958

Master's Degree in Fine Arts, Hongik University Graduate School of Education, Department of Art Education

Bachelor's Degree, College of Fine Arts, Chung-Ang University

**Artist's Statement**

Written by: Lee Jeong Won

Recent works depict the view from above, illustrating the landscape of the "Baekdu Daegan," which forms the central spine of the mountains in our country. Each mountain has its own unique beauty, but when they come together, they create a certain regular pattern and repetition of shapes, revealing an underlying principle. Based on the ridge lines of the mountains, countless streams flow and divide from these points, and between these water systems, ecosystems, including human life, are nurtured.

The medium of "(creased) paper" has been a core focus in my exploration of whether it allows me to touch the edges of the vast vitality. Although the physical properties of "(creased) paper" cannot mimic the flexibility, detailed expression, and gradation of ink brushstrokes, its rough texture and three-dimensional quality enable a different kind of realism, invoking the feeling of rocks or trees. The small pieces of paper attached to the canvas, when adhered in various directions, create a specific sense of flow; from different perspectives, they can even produce optical effects.

Recently, I have found that, rather than depicting the object itself, the more important aspect is the action taken to approach the object. In order to paint a hundred rocks, I must cut and attach countless pieces of paper, spray paint, and repeat brushstrokes. What do these repetitive actions mean to me? Of course, behind these actions lies a longer preparation process, including mountaineering experiences and sketching. However, just as countless elements come together to form a rock, I believe it is through the act of attaching thousands of paper pieces and repeating tens of thousands of brushstrokes that I am truly ready to encounter the mountain.

"True landscape painting" does not refer to actual mountain and water scenes but to the principles that form the essence of mountain and water landscapes. Mountains do not easily reveal their true forms. Through continuous "searching in the mountains," if I gain some insight, then the meaning of painting lies not only in creating a result but in experiencing deeper meanings through the act of creation and the process itself.

**Solo Exhibitions**

- August 26–September 1, 2009, 1st Solo Exhibition (Lee Hyeong Art Center)

- December 30, 2009–January 5, 2010, 2nd Solo Exhibition (Danseong Gallery)

- May 15–24, 2012, 3rd Solo Exhibition (Yisang Cultural Center)

- November 28–December 4, 2012, 4th Solo Exhibition (Kyeongin Art Museum)

- December 12–18, 2012, 5th Solo Exhibition (Lee Hyeong Art Gallery)

- December 18–24, 2012, 6th Excellent Artist Solo Exhibition (Lee Hyeong Art Gallery)

- February 15–20, 2013, 7th Invitation Solo Exhibition (Daegu KBS Broadcasting Station)

- July 16–22, 2015, 8th Solo Exhibition "Exploration in the Mountains 1" (Art Space Qualia)

- December 15–21, 2016, 9th Invitation Solo Exhibition "Exploration in the Mountains 2" (Art Space Qualia)

- September 2–14, 2017, 10th Invitation Solo Exhibition "Exploration in the Mountains 3" (Tree Gallery, Incheon)

- February 27–March 4, 2019, 11th Solo Exhibition "Exploration in the Mountains 4" (Insa-dong Art Center, 5th floor)

- May 30–June 5, 2019, 12th Invitation Solo Exhibition "Exploration in the Mountains 5" (Art Space Qualia)

- August 1–September 11, 2019, 13th Invitation Solo Exhibition "Exploration in the Mountains 6" (Shared Café Gallery)

- September 16–30, 2019, 14th Invitation Solo Exhibition Lee Jeong Won Exhibition (Hyun In Gallery - Jeju Island)

- June 19–July 2, 2020, 15th Invitation Solo Exhibition "Mountain, Island, Mountain" (Future Gallery - Seosomun)

- July 2–30, 2020, 16th Solo Exhibition "Mountains Beyond Memory" (Pilang Gallery)

- April 16–30, 2021, 17th Invitation Solo Exhibition "Exploration in the Mountains 7 - Walking Mountains, Flowing Waters" (Seongyuk Memorial Hall Annex Gallery)

- May 20–31, 2021, 18th Invitation Solo Exhibition "Exploration in the Mountains 8" (Hyun In Gallery)

- May 13–26, 2022, 19th Invitation Solo Exhibition "Exploration in the Mountains 9" (Future Gallery)

- September 30–October 7, 2022, 20th Invitation Solo Exhibition "Exploration in the Mountains 10" (Seoul Asan Medical Center Gallery)

- April 11–15, 2023, 21st Solo Exhibition (Paris Monalisa Gallery)

- August 18–31, 2023, 22nd Invitation Solo Exhibition "Exploration in the Mountains 11" (Future Gallery)

- December 14–31, 2023, 23rd Solo Exhibition (Jeong Art Gallery)

- October 17–November 6, 2024, 24th Invitation Solo Exhibition "Welcome to Blue Mountain" (Future Gallery)

- January 4–25, 2025, 25th Invitation Solo Exhibition (99 ART CENTER - Taipei)

- July 1–30, 2025, 26th Invitation Solo Exhibition (Peach Blossom Pavilion Art Museum)

**Group Exhibitions and Invitational Exhibitions**

- May 19, 2023, AIAA 10th Anniversary Korean-Japanese Exchange Exhibition (Akita Prefectural Art Museum, Japan)

- July 26–August 6, 2023, "The Encounter of Art and Ecology" Exhibition (Changxing Cultural Arts Center)

- September 1–30, 2023, "Traffic Map" Exhibition (Peach Blossom Pavilion Art Museum)

- September 14–27, 2023, "Urban Dreamers" (JUNG Gallery)

- October 6–December 15, 2023, 2023 GIAF 20th Gongju International Art Festival (Limil Art Museum)

- October 17–28, 2023, 50th Anniversary of Korea-India Diplomatic Relations Exhibition (Seoul City Council Main Building)

- October 21, 2023, Ghana Open Studio

- March 8–April 30, 2024, Art Cosmopolitan TAIPEI (AEEP Art Space)

- March 21–24, 2024, VIP Invitation Exhibition SEOUL-DUBAI (PAL Gallery)

- May 31–June 13, 2024, Anping Anjian Art Spirit Exhibition (Hanbyeokwon Art Museum)

- July 9–20, 2024, Gangwon New Wind Exhibition (Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Civil Hall Exhibition Room)

- August 1–30, 2024, Artist Portraits - Past, Present, and Future (Peach Blossom Pavilion Art Museum)

- August 15–20, 2024, Korea-India Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition (Green Travel) - Art Space Qualia

- August 29, 2024, Korea-India Modern Art Exchange Exhibition (Silent Garden) - Seoul National University Gwanak Tree Garden Exhibition Hall

- August 24–September 6, 2024, Korea-India Contemporary Art Exchange Exhibition (Green Travel) - Petite Palais Gallery Yonggetsu

- August 21–27, 2024, Group Tertiary Exhibition - Insa-dong Art Center 3rd Floor

- August 31, 2024, Ghana Open Studio

- September 5–17, 2024, Artist Portraits - Past, Present, and Future (Art Space Qualia)

- September 19–27, 2024, ART COSMOPOLITAN (Fukuzumi Gallery, Osaka, Japan)

- November 2–23, 2024, "Art Cosmopolitan 2024 Taipei" (99 ART CENTER - Taipei)

Over 150 exhibitions participated.

**Art Fairs Participated**

- August 2013, 8th SOAF (COEX, South Korea)

- 2016, 11th SOAF (COEX, South Korea)

- December 2015, Miami Scope Art Fair (Miami, USA)

- February 2016, Art KARLSRUHE (Germany)

- March 2016, Asian Contemporary Art Fair (Hong Kong)

- May 19–23, 2016, Art Busan (Busan, South Korea)

- June 2016, Affoduble Art Fair (Hong Kong); July, Affoduble Art Fair (London, UK); September, Affoduble Art Fair DDP (Seoul, South Korea)

- June 15–20, 2016, Basel Scope Art Fair (Basel, Switzerland)

- July, Art Southampton (New York, USA)

- December, Miami Scope Art Fair (Miami, USA)

- March 16–20, 2017, Hong Kong Contemporary Art Fair (Grand Hyatt Hotel)

- October 24–28, 2018, Jeju Myth Arts Festival Myth Art Fair (Myth Hotel)

- October 2–9, 2019, MANIF Seoul International Art Fair (Hangaram Art Museum, Seocho-gu)

- December 5–9, 2019, HE'S ART FAIR 'W Square' 1st Floor (Shanghai, China)

- October 2021, Gwangju Art Fair (Kim Dae-jung Convention Center)

- May 2022, FORM Art Fair (COEX)

- July 2022, Ulsan Art Fair (Ulsan Conference Center)

- June 2022, Daegu Art Fair (EXCO)

- November 3–6, 2022, Global Art Fair Singapore (Marina Bay Sands Exhibition Center C Hall)

- March 2023, BAMA (BEXCO)

- December 22–26, 2023, Seoul Art Fair (COEX)

**Awards**

- July 25, 2012, Received "2012 Artist of the Year Award" (Artist/Art Journal)

**Current Membership**

- Member of the Korean Art Association, Group Ter, and JH.CLUB

- 2017–2024 Artist in Residence at Changxing Ghana First Studio