The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai
From December 5, 2024, to January 9, 2025, Gallery Hyundai presents a solo exhibition by acclaimed Korean artist Lee Kun Yong, renowned for his avant-garde approach to performance art and abstract expression. Titled Lee Kun Yong, the exhibition at the Dugahun space in Seoul showcases two seminal works from his iconic Bodyscape 76-3 series, alongside 15 drawings from the extended series Bodyscape 76-3 Drawing. These pieces invite viewers to witness the profound intersection of physical action, chance, and intentionality in Lee’s practice, as he redefines the essence of artistic creation.
The Bodyscape 76-3 series is emblematic of Lee Kun Yong’s artistic philosophy, where the act of creation is both a physical and philosophical endeavor. By rhythmically moving his left and right hands without looking at the canvas, Lee’s body itself becomes an instrument of art-making. His movements leave behind heart-shaped marks on the canvas—forms that are as much the product of deliberate rhythm as they are of spontaneous action. This process blurs the line between the intentional and the accidental, embodying the artist’s exploration of the relationship between the human body, space, and artistic expression.
Bodyscape 76-3 Drawing, 2022, mixed media on paper, 14 × 18 cm, Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai
Lee’s approach challenges traditional notions of authorship and representation. Each work in the series stands as a testament to his philosophy that art is not merely an object to be viewed but an event to be experienced. The physical traces left on the canvas are more than abstract forms; they are records of a moment in time, encapsulating the rhythm of life itself.
Born in 1942, Lee Kun Yong has been a pivotal figure in Korea’s contemporary art scene, particularly in the realm of performance art. His groundbreaking works have consistently pushed the boundaries of what art can be, using the body as both a tool and a subject. The Bodyscape series, first conceived in the 1970s, represents a culmination of his lifelong inquiry into the act of drawing and its potential to transcend traditional artistic frameworks.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai
The exhibition also includes 15 drawings from the Bodyscape 76-3 Drawing series, which extend the conceptual framework of the larger works onto paper. These smaller-scale pieces retain the same dynamic energy and rhythmic movement, offering an intimate glimpse into Lee’s process. The drawings are not merely preparatory works but are standalone pieces that capture the immediacy and spontaneity of his gestures.
Lee Kun Yong’s contributions to contemporary art have been widely celebrated for their innovation and depth. His works bridge the divide between performance and painting, focusing on the act of creation as a performative and meditative process. By emphasizing the physicality of artistic expression, Lee challenges viewers to reconsider the boundaries between action, artifact, and experience.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai
The Bodyscape series resonates with universal themes of presence, movement, and time. The heart-like shapes, created through Lee’s gestures, evoke a sense of connection and rhythm, reflecting his belief that art is a dialogue between the self and the world. This philosophy is further explored in the accompanying drawings, where each line becomes a trace of the artist’s presence.
This exhibition underscores the enduring relevance of Lee Kun Yong’s work in contemporary art discourse. By transforming the gallery space into a stage for dialogue between body and canvas, Lee invites viewers to engage with the very act of creation itself. It is a celebration of art as a living, breathing process—an exploration of the profound connections between the physical and the ephemeral, the deliberate and the accidental.
Gallery Hyundai’s presentation of Lee Kun Yong offers an invaluable opportunity to experience the depth and innovation of one of Korea’s most influential artists. Through his unique synthesis of action and form, Lee continues to challenge and inspire, redefining the possibilities of artistic expression.
Sayart / Maria Kim, sayart2022@gmail.com
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai
From December 5, 2024, to January 9, 2025, Gallery Hyundai presents a solo exhibition by acclaimed Korean artist Lee Kun Yong, renowned for his avant-garde approach to performance art and abstract expression. Titled Lee Kun Yong, the exhibition at the Dugahun space in Seoul showcases two seminal works from his iconic Bodyscape 76-3 series, alongside 15 drawings from the extended series Bodyscape 76-3 Drawing. These pieces invite viewers to witness the profound intersection of physical action, chance, and intentionality in Lee’s practice, as he redefines the essence of artistic creation.
The Bodyscape 76-3 series is emblematic of Lee Kun Yong’s artistic philosophy, where the act of creation is both a physical and philosophical endeavor. By rhythmically moving his left and right hands without looking at the canvas, Lee’s body itself becomes an instrument of art-making. His movements leave behind heart-shaped marks on the canvas—forms that are as much the product of deliberate rhythm as they are of spontaneous action. This process blurs the line between the intentional and the accidental, embodying the artist’s exploration of the relationship between the human body, space, and artistic expression.
Bodyscape 76-3 Drawing, 2022, mixed media on paper, 14 × 18 cm, Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai
Lee’s approach challenges traditional notions of authorship and representation. Each work in the series stands as a testament to his philosophy that art is not merely an object to be viewed but an event to be experienced. The physical traces left on the canvas are more than abstract forms; they are records of a moment in time, encapsulating the rhythm of life itself.
Born in 1942, Lee Kun Yong has been a pivotal figure in Korea’s contemporary art scene, particularly in the realm of performance art. His groundbreaking works have consistently pushed the boundaries of what art can be, using the body as both a tool and a subject. The Bodyscape series, first conceived in the 1970s, represents a culmination of his lifelong inquiry into the act of drawing and its potential to transcend traditional artistic frameworks.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai
The exhibition also includes 15 drawings from the Bodyscape 76-3 Drawing series, which extend the conceptual framework of the larger works onto paper. These smaller-scale pieces retain the same dynamic energy and rhythmic movement, offering an intimate glimpse into Lee’s process. The drawings are not merely preparatory works but are standalone pieces that capture the immediacy and spontaneity of his gestures.
Lee Kun Yong’s contributions to contemporary art have been widely celebrated for their innovation and depth. His works bridge the divide between performance and painting, focusing on the act of creation as a performative and meditative process. By emphasizing the physicality of artistic expression, Lee challenges viewers to reconsider the boundaries between action, artifact, and experience.
The installation view of the exhibition, Courtesy of Gallery Hyundai
The Bodyscape series resonates with universal themes of presence, movement, and time. The heart-like shapes, created through Lee’s gestures, evoke a sense of connection and rhythm, reflecting his belief that art is a dialogue between the self and the world. This philosophy is further explored in the accompanying drawings, where each line becomes a trace of the artist’s presence.
This exhibition underscores the enduring relevance of Lee Kun Yong’s work in contemporary art discourse. By transforming the gallery space into a stage for dialogue between body and canvas, Lee invites viewers to engage with the very act of creation itself. It is a celebration of art as a living, breathing process—an exploration of the profound connections between the physical and the ephemeral, the deliberate and the accidental.
Gallery Hyundai’s presentation of Lee Kun Yong offers an invaluable opportunity to experience the depth and innovation of one of Korea’s most influential artists. Through his unique synthesis of action and form, Lee continues to challenge and inspire, redefining the possibilities of artistic expression.
