Kwanwoo Lee

(SEOUL 1969 -)


Biography

Lee uses a variation of mixed media with Korean stamps that have been described as allegories of memory, intrinsically linked to time, life and nature. Kwanwoo Lee treats Korean stamps asobjects, and creates large-scale pixilated assemblages that develop into a relief-like surface. In the series titled, “Condensed,” Kwanwoo Lee combines hundreds of stamps and seals of various shapes and sizes, each uniquely carved in the traditional Korean style, into large-scale pieces and abstract compositions. He pursues organic movement across the board simply using the Korean stamps. The engravings and symbols of stamps carry a sense of personalized identity, personhood, and great emotional and historical weight that by plainly laying them on the canvas without the pressure of trying to create a particular image, he is able to compose a natural rhythm.

Exhibition

Solo Exhibitions

2017 Able Fine Art NY Gallery Solo Exhibition, New York, USA
2014 11th Jeju Museum of Contemporary Art, Jeju Island, Korea
10th Gallery Hanok, Seoul, Korea
2012 9th Able Fine Art Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2011 8th Able Fine Art Gallery, New York, USA
Able Fine Art Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2010 7th Insa Art Center, Seoul, Korea
6th Gallery Soo, Seoul, Korea
2008 5th Insa Art Center, Seoul, Korea
2004 4th Hyundai Arts Center Invitational, Ulsan, Korea
3rd Kwanhoon Gallery, Seoul, Korea
1999 2nd KEPCO Art Center Gallery, Special Invitational, Seoul, Korea
1996 1st Jongno Gallery, Seoul, Korea

Two Person Exhibitions

2009 Chu In-yeop & Lee Kwan-woo, Jung Gu Chan Gallery, Yongin, Korea
1994 Jeong Seok-do & Lee Kwan-woo, SaeAnYeSaRang, Gangreung, Gangreung

Selected Exhibition & Group Exhibition

2015 VOICE OF KOREAN ART, Odetoart Gallery, Singapore
Made & Found, Hans Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2014 MMCA Collections “Wall”,
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Gwacheon, Korea
Asiat in Seoul, Chungmu Art Hall, Seoul, Korea
Gongpyeong Gallery Opening Show, Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery, Seoul, Korea
Exhibition of Chinese and Korean Contemporary, Level space, Beijing, China
2013 Asiat in Seoul, Art Space Africana, Sungnam, Korea
Korea Japan Latin, Gallery La Mer, Seoul, Korea
Art Space Ben Permanent Exhibition, Seoul, Korea
Women Chosun 29th Anniversary Commemorative Exhibition, Seoul, Korea
Primavera, Amway Art Museum, Seoul, Korea
Korea Japan Latin, Gallery La Mer, Seoul, Korea
2012 Bangladesh Biennale, Bangladesh
Landscape in My Mind, LIG Art Space, Seoul, Korea
Artists from Gyeonggi-do Province, Namsong Art Museum, Gapyeong, Korea
The Essentials, Able Fine Art Gallery, New York, USA
Journey of Time, Able Fine Art Gallery, New York, USA
Asiat in Seoul, Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery, Seoul, Korea
Black Stone, Icheon, Korea
Lee Kwan-woo, Beacon Gallery, Seoul, Korea
Korea Japan Latin, Gallery La Mer, Seoul, Korea
2011 Gallery Yoon Opening Show, Gallery Yoon, Seoul, Korea
Clio Box, Insa Arts Center, Seoul, Korea
Art Two Design, Insa Arts Center, Seoul, Korea
2010 Korean Art in celebration of G20 Seoul Summit, National Assembly Library, Seoul, Korea
Happy Receptacles, Gallery Gong, Seoul, Korea
By Your Side, Horim Museum, Seoul, Korea
Art Wit, Seongnam Arts Center, Seongnam, Korea
3.15 Art Center, Changwon, Korea
Transformed Land, Mongloian National Modern Art Gallery, Mongol
Korea Japan Latin, Gallery La Mer, Seoul, Korea
Him of Gyeonggi-do, Gyeonggi Museum of Modern Art, Ansan, Korea
Neo-Renaissance, Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery, Seoul, Korea
Good Morning, Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2009 Sculpture Symposium, Central Park, Gwacheon, Korea
Three Contemporary Artists, Gagaa Gallery, Incheon, Korea
Metaphor as Material, Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery, Seoul, Korea
Seoul Auction Cutting Edge, Seoul Auction Space, Seoul, Korea
Korea Japan Latin, Dongduk Art Gallery, Seoul, Korea
New Beginning, Gallery Yeh, Seoul, Korea
Humor and Satire, Albaro Siza Hall, Anyang Arts Park, Anyang, Korea
Good Morning Seoul, Seoul Art Center Gongpyeong Gallery, Seoul, Korea
New Year Show, Gallery Soo, Seoul, Korea
Beautiful Journey of Teachers and Students, Hanaro Gallery, Seoul, Korea
2008 Opening Exhibition, Gagaa Gallery, Incheon, Korea
Spring in Namsong, Namsong Art Museum, Gapyeong, Korea
International Artists Invitational, Gangneung Museum of Art, Gangneung, Korea