Born in Gwangju, painter Hyung-Woo Lee (Luke Lee), produces work emulating cheerful youth. Lee studied at Hongik University in South Korea where he first developed his distinctive puerile style. Animals and people with paradoxical facial expressions feature in his work, with contorted postures rather than a rigid or standard form.
Lee creates fictional spaces for viewers to immerse themselves, he does this by intentionally arranging characters and animals adorned with their own personalities in an erratic, sometimes comedic, situation. The figure’s distorted shape juxtaposed by an equally twisted background, stimulate imagination.
The artist states, “My paintings are expressions of fables originating from social and historical events and reflected in various myths.” Lee’s vibrant colours and confident brush strokes create an intensity in the work.
Luke Lee has exhibited extensively throughout his native South Korea, including several Solo Exhibitions in renowned galleries in Seoul. He is also represented in Australia and the U.S.
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
My painting starts with a story that does not interfere with anyone. Gods and Creators did not interfere with humans. There is no past in my art. Because art does not stay in one place. But I am influenced by several painters. It simply does not equate to imitation, their world is a creative inspiration within me. Showing something original and innovative in the traditional, I also seek the source, so I am looking for the beauty in every new day.
EDUCATION
M.F.A Graduate School of Hong-Ik University
B.F.A College of Fine Arts, Hong-Ik University
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2021 “Bow! Wow!”, Gallery Onyou, Anyang, SOUTH KOREA
2020 “You told me it was fiction”, Art polygon HORANGGASINAMU, Gwangju, SOUTH KOREA
2018 Go to the Animal Story World, Haenam Dinosaur Museum, Haenam SOUTH KOREA
2017 Apologia, Gallery Doo, Seoul SOUTH KOREA
2017 Why we stick to the number zero?, Gallery coop, Seoul SOUTH KOREA
2017 Fiction, Gallery Onyou, Anyang SOUTH KOREA
2016 What is important, Gallery Coop, Seoul SOUTH KOREA
2014 Moment of spring flowers, found in the summer, Moodung Gallery, Gwangju SOUTH KOREA
2014 Interference, Jino Gallery, Gwangju SOUTH KOREA
2013 To see you smiling missed, Ilgok gallery, Gwangju SOUTH KOREA
2011 The Sea God of the rabbit liver does not desire, Ilgok Gallery, Gwangju SOUTH KOREA
2010 Is a daily challenge, Gallery Light, Seoul SOUTH KOREA
2009 Nonsense, Ilgok Gallery, Gwangju SOUTH KOREA
2009 Dalsori have no wish to dawn!, Ilgok Gallery, Gwangju SOUTH KOREA
2008 ‘+2,+1,0,-1,-2’, Gallery A&S, Seoul SOUTH KOREA
2006 From field over field, Cheltenham Artcenter, Philadelpia USA
2005 A way , Cheltenham Artcenter, Philadelpia USA
2004 It blooms, however, Shinsegye Gallery, Gwangju SOUTH KOREA
2002 Repose, Moin Gallery, Seoul SOUTH KOREA
2001 A Path, Moodeung Museum, Gwangju SOUTH KOREA
2000 The Wind from Pinewoods, Baiknyeon Gallery, Gwangju SOUTH KOREA
ART FAIRS
2011 – 2018 Art Fairs (Zhengzhou, China, Gwangju ACC, Seoul COEX, Busan BEXCO )
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
1993 – 2021 Over 120 various group shows
