The Festival: Sowing seeds of the first hope

A solo exhibition by renowned master of modern Korean art, Sung Kun Lee.

Lee, Sung Kun is a leading figure in Korean abstract art whose practice bridges Eastern aesthetics and contemporary expression. Rooted in traditional ink painting yet freed from its conventions, his work transforms movement, space and energy into a distinctive abstract language.

Lee’s paintings are defined by dynamic brushwork, rhythmic speed and the expressive use of emptiness. Motifs such as galloping horses recur throughout his work, symbolising vitality, rhythm and unseen forces beyond visual form. These images extend beyond representation, evoking sound, breath and the resonance of movement, earning the artist the title ‘Sound Painter’.

Guided by the belief that painting is an expression of one’s existence rather than technical mastery, Lee’s practice reflects a lifelong inquiry into being, freedom and inner transformation. His work invites viewers into a contemplative space where tradition and modernity converge, and where visual experience expands into sensory and philosophical reflection.

About the artist

Born in Seoul, Lee, Sung Kun received formal training in Korean ink painting under the renowned master Kim, Eun-ho (Idang), where he built a strong foundation in classical technique and philosophy. He later participated in the Hooso Association alongside Kim, Ki-chang (Unbo), positioning himself within the formative currents of modern Korean art.

His work has been exhibited in over 50 solo and invited exhibitions across more than ten countries including the United States, Germany, France and Austria. Lee’s paintings are held in major public and private collections worldwide, including the Blue House of Korea, the United Nations Headquarters, the Pentagon and the British Royal Collection. His practice continues to explore painting as an expression of being rather than technical mastery.

Image: Sung Kun Lee, Family, 2015, Korean ink and light colour painting on handmade Hanji paper