A World of Paintings: On the Lee Kun-hee Collection focuses on painting, the medium with the longest history in fine art, by tracing the journey of eight artists from the Lee Kun-hee Collection who sought what only paintings could express amid the tumultuous modern and contemporary history of Korea. This exhibition takes as its starting point 36 works from the Lee Kun-hee Collection, donated to the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) and regional museums in 2021, as well as pieces from the collection of the Leeum Museum of Art. It also incorporates 24 additional works from the Seoul Museum of Art, other public and private museums, galleries, and private collections, allowing for a deeper understanding of each artist’s body of work.
Painting, as a form of fine art, is a two-dimensional practice based on the act of depicting shapes and layering colors. In contemporary art, where different disciplines intermingle and media continuously expand, traditional painting might seem like a thing of the past. And yet that is the unique characteristic that makes painting what it is and the very source of its vitality, allowing it to breathe and come alive. For the eight artists included in this exhibition, all of whom were born between 1912 and 1952, art has always been synonymous with painting for them. This exhibition explores three main themes based on distinctive qualities of painting: “Appearance, Scenes, and Nature,” “Color Is Alive,” and “The Act of Spiritual Practice through Materials.”
The title of the exhibition, A World of Paintings, is borrowed from Lee Insung, a key figure in Korea's modern art scene, who metaphorically described painting as “a special world that represents the aesthetic consciousness of the artist.” It implies the intention to explore the ultimate world that artists sought to reach through painting. Further to that, and inspired by participating artist Kang Yobae’s belief that the term “painting” is insufficient to express the profound meaning of painting―encompassing both the act of drawing and coloring and the sentiment of “longing” in the Korean language―this exhibition delves into the eight artists’ hearts and aspirations, which are deeply embedded in their works and lives.
These eight artists lived through an incredibly difficult period of Korean history, from the Japanese colonial period to the Korean War and national division, followed by post-war turmoil. Being a painter during these years was never easy. In times when it was difficult to even imagine a bright future, the act of painting stemmed from the desperation brought on by each individual’s circumstances. For them, painting was both the very essence of unrestrained freedom and a path in pursuit of beauty. It was also a dream and a utopia that they strived to reach while delving into their inner selves.
Although these artists accepted Western modern and contemporary art directly or indirectly as a stylistic tool, they continuously sought ways to express their own identities and narratives, ultimately constructing unique bodies of work. We hope this exhibition offers an opportunity to experience the vast horizons of painting through these individuals’ artworks, all of which, taken together, encompass the three themes of the exhibition. Additionally, we hope it allows for a rediscovery of their artistic language and messages, which remain extremely relevant today.
1. Landscape
Appearance, Scenes, and Nature
The first theme, “Landscape,” comprises figures, still lifes, and nature. From natural scenery and all the surrounding people and objects to unknown places that seem to appear in dreams, the artists visualize landscapes that captivate their gaze or hold a special place in their hearts. Among these works, nature―an enduring theme in landscape art―emerges as a crucial subject matter that reflects the inner world of the artists. Nature and landscapes are sometimes depicted as scenes imbued with national sentiment and, at other times, as surreal visions from the imagination, taking on myriad interpretations.
2. Color
Color Is Alive and Moving
The second theme explores the potential of color beyond imagery. The artists who prioritized color as a fundamental element of composition commonly present abstract works based on color fields in geometric forms. The simple and concise arrangement of lines and planes in their paintings serves to highlight color on their canvas. Within their works, color pulsates with life, moving toward the archetype of pure nature and a primal world brimming with vitality.
3. Materiality
The Act of Spiritual Practice through Materials
The final theme of this exhibition explores materiality, which emerges in depth on a two-dimensional plane through the artist’s repetitive actions. Emptying their minds and focusing their spirits through their breath, these artists’ process of confronting materials closely resembles the actions of a spiritual practitioner in pursuit of the essence of existence. A common trait among this type of artist is the continuous layering of color not only on the front but also on the reverse side of the paper. Colors that overlap, seep into one another, and gain movement are transformed―through their encounter with the materiality of paper―into a luminous space beyond the surface.
