Born in 1953 in Seoul, South Korea
Lives and works between New York, USA and Seoul, South Korea
Sang Nam Lee is known for his geometric abstract paintings with creative symbols and signs. Throughout the 1970s, he actively participated in major exhibitions, including Daegu Contemporary Art Festival in Daegu, A Facet of Contemporary Art at Central Museum of Art in Tokyo, and São Paulo Biennale. Continuing to experiment with painting and pose theoretical questions, Lee departed to New York in 1981 where he explored his own artistic language. As geometric abstraction, Lee's works prominently feature images, particularly symbols and signs. Flatness is emphasized by bringing two-dimensional pattern motifs derived from complex geometry, symbols, and diagrams. He combines different motifs in an unique way through enlargement, reduction, and repetition. The surface is obtained by numerous layers of acrylic paint, repeating to grind with sandpaper each time a layer is applied on a panel. Through his interminable manual process, artificial and even surfaces are revealed bringing light to unforeseen shapes.
The artist deliberately rejects the legibility and ideographic representation of images. He avoids reproducing specific objects and adopts a way of thinking that negates our existing perceptions, stereotypes, and traditions. Thus, his works can be described as ‘landscape paintings of minds,’ depicting the landscapes of the cities and places where he has lived displaying the trajectory and journey of his life.
Sang Nam Lee’s large-scale wall paintings are permanently installed at public institutions such as Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art (2010) and Poznań airport in Poland (2012), and Embassy of Republic of Korea in Japan (2013). He has participated in group exhibition including the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MMCA) in Korea; Seoul National University Museum of Art, Seoul; Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C..
education
1978
B.F.A., Hongik University, Seoul, Korea
solo shows
2024
- Fome d'esprit, Perrotin, Seoul, Korea (upcoming)
2022
- Fortress of Sense, PKM Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2017
- 4-Fold Landscape, PKM Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2013
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Tokyo, Japan
2012
- Light+Right (Three Moons), PKM Trinity Gallery, Seoul, Korea
- Light+Right,” The Armory Show, Piers 94, New York, USA
- Landscapic Algorithm (Poznań), Poznań Airport, Poznań, Poland
2011
- Landscapic Algorithm (from Sacheon W. B. I.), KB Bridge Gallery, Sacheon, Korea
2010
- Landscapic Algorithm (Two Telescopes), Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art, Ansan, Korea
2008
- Landscapic Algorithm, PKM Trinity Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2006
- Landscapic Algorithm,” KB Tower, Seoul, Korea
2002
- An Economy of Signs, Elga Wimmer PCC, New York, USA
1998
- Project and Recede ll, Elga Wimmer PCC, New York, USA
1997
- Galerie Åpert, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Project and Recede ll, Gallery Hyundai, Seoul, Korea
- Project and Recede ll, Galerie Bhak, Seoul, Korea
1996
- Douglas Udell Gallery, Edmonton, Canada
- Douglas Udell Gallery, Vancouver, Canada
- Project and Recede, Elga Wimmer PCC, New York, USA
1993
- Minus and Plus, B4A Gallery, New York, USA
1986
- Gallery International, Washington, D.C., USA
- Marcel et Moi; II, Zone Gallery, New York (including Performance), USA
1984
- La MaMa La Galleria, New York, USA
1979
- Komai Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
group shows
2022
- Inlay - Harmony of Disparate Things, Horim Museum Sinsa Branch, Seoul, Korea
2019
- CRACKS in the Concrete II from the MMCA Collection: A Glimpse into the World/ Gazing into Eternity, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, Korea
2016
- Monochrome Painting & Wooden Furniture of Joseon Dynasty, Hongik University Museum, Seoul, Korea
2014
- Busan Biennale 2014 Special Exhibition: Voyage to Biennale - 50 years of Korean Contemporary Art in Overseas Biennales, Busan Cultural Center Grand·Medium Gallery,
Busan, Korea
2013
- Pavilion 0, Palazzo Donà, Venice, Italy
2012
- The 3rd Mediations Biennale: THE UNKNOWN, Poznan, Poland
2011
- Welcome to Lobby Gallery,” Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art, Ansan, Korea
- Abstract It!, the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Deoksugung, Seoul, Korea
2009
- The Armory Show, Piers 94, New York, USA
2008
- The 3rd International Biennial of Seville: YOUniverse, Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporáneo, Seville, Spain
- Artists, What’s Science for You?, KAIST Campus, Daejeon, Korea
- 2008 Kiaf Special Exhibition: A Moonlit Garden,” Coex Indian Hall, Seoul, Korea
- Different Hana, Hana Bank, Seoul, Korea
2006
- Invitation to Modern Art, Seoul National University Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea
- Dragon Veins, USF Contemporary Art Museum, Florida, USA
2005
- Black on White, Elga Wimmer PCC, New York, USA
2003
- At the Crossroads, Gallery Korea – Korean Cultural Center New York, New York, USA
- Signs, Symbols & Codes, Elga Wimmer PCC, New York, USA
- Clear Intentions, The Rotunda Gallery, New York, USA
- Dreams and Reality: Korean American Contemporary Art, International Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., USA
2002
- New Acquisitions 2001, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, Korea
- Project 3 (with Yun-fei Ji, Xu Bing, Rie Hachiyanagi), Elga Wimmer PCC, New York, USA
2001
- Korean Art 2001: The Reinstatement of Painting,” National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, Korea
- Mind and Scenery, Gallery M, Daegu, Korea
2000
- The Horizon of New Millennium, Gallery Hyundai, Seoul, Korea
1998
- Art Frankfurt, Messe Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
1997
- Black and White, Todd Gallery, London, UK
1996
- Sign Language, Polo Gallery, New Jersey, USA
- The 5th Year Celebration, Elga Wimmer Gallery, New York, USA
- The 19th Anniversary Benefit GALA/Art Auction, The New Museum of Contemporary Art, New York, USA
- Champions of Modernism: Art of Tomorrow/Art of Today, Castle Gallery, New York; Brevard Museum of Art and Science, Florida, USA
1995
- 95 Annual Summer Show, Elga Wimmer Gallery, New York, USA
- Art Chicago, Elga Wimmer Gallery Booth, Chicago, USA
- Minimal: Optimal, Elga Wimmer Gallery, New York, USA
1994
- One Hundred Hearts Benefit Art Auction, The Contemporary, New York, USA
- Betrayal/Empowerment, Columbia University Great Dodge Hall, New York, USA
1993
- Drawing, B4A Gallery, New York, USA
1987
- Artmix 87, Space 2B, New York, USA
1985
- Sexy Provocative Just Plain Lewd, Torn Awning Gallery, New York, USA
- Personal History/Public Address, Minor Injury Gallery, New York, USA
- Marcel et Moi; I (Four-person show with performance), Torn Awning Gallery, New York, USA
- Homeless at Home, Storefront Gallery, New York, USA
1983
- Current Korean-American Sensibilities, Gallery Korea – Korean Cultural Center New York, New York, USA
1981
- Korean Drawing Now, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul; Brooklyn Museum, New York; Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., USA
- Today's Situation, Kwan Hun Gallery, Seoul, Korea
- Stage Design Award, The 2nd Korean Dance Festival, Seoul, Korea
1980
- The Grand Exhibition of Prints & Drawings, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, Korea
1979
- 15th Biennale de Sáo Paulo, Museo de Arte, São Paulo, Brazil
- The Korean Artists, Tokiwa Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
- 7 Artists in Korea & Japan, Maki Gallery, Tokyo, Japan; Hankook Gallery, Seoul, Korea
- The 5th Ecole De Séoul,” National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, Korea
1978
- The 5th Korean Art Grand-Prix Exhibition, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul (held by Hankook Press Group), Korea
- The Past 20 Years, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, Korea
- The 5th Hongik Printing Group Show, Gyonji Gallery, Seoul, Korea
- Jeonbuk Contemporary Art Festival, Jeonju, Korea
1977
- Four Person Show, Taein Gallery, Seoul, Korea
- Facets of Contemporary Korean Art, Tokyo Central Museum of Art, Tokyo, Japan
- Korean Contemporary Paintings,” National Museum of History, Taipei, Taiwan
1976
- Three Person Show, Seoul Gallery, Seoul, Korea
1975
- Length & Breath, Press Center Gallery, Seoul, Korea
- Daegu Contemporary Art Festival, Daegu Public Gallery, Daegu, Korea
1974
- Performance, Here/Now, Nackdong River, Daegu, Korea
- The 2nd Independents, National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Seoul, Korea
- Exhibition of Prints by 10 Artists, U.S.I.S., Seoul, Korea
1973
- The 1st Independents, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, Seoul, Korea
public collections
- National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea
- Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art, Korea
- Leeum Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea
- Horim Museum, Seoul, Korea
- DAELIM Museum, Seoul, Korea
- Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Tokyo, Japan
- Poznan Airport, Poznan, Poland
- Hanwha Corporation, Seoul, Korea
- SHINSEGAE, Seoul, Korea
- AmorePacific Corporation Seoul, Korea
- HYOSUNG, Seoul, Korea
- Hansol Paper Ltd., Seoul, Korea
- KB Tower, Seoul, Korea
- Bridge Gallery KB Insurance HRD Center, Sacheon, Korea
- Hyundae Munhak, Seoul, Korea
- The Coffee Bean Korea, Seoul, Korea
