Lee Gihun builds layers of meaning into his artworks and invites viewers to look beyond the surface of their fantastical imagery to contemplate the fragile balance of life in the modern world
Now online, view in 3D
Masquerade by Lee Gihun, his first solo show at StolenSpace. Through large scale paintings Lee Gihun evokes a fantastical world which is both magical and cynical, uniquely blending the melancholic and playful qualities in everyday scenes that are both familiar and unsettling.
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Childlike, masked characters inhabit a muted and desolate world of clouded skies, mountains, and remnants of human cities. Rendered only in red, these characters stand out like the last living things left in a world that will soon cease to be.
Lee Gihun highlights the dualistic Western way of thinking which separates spirit and matter, and has led people to see themselves as separate from nature. This self-centered perspective threatens the balance of life. Like the story of Noah preparing for the end by building an ark, as we face crises like climate change driven by human desires, the next generation must find ways to survive. The masked characters in the work, preparing for an uncertain future, represent a sense of hope and resilience.
Lee Gihun invites viewers to engage with his paintings through their imagination. Using a mix of acrylic and oil stick, he builds his compositions by blocking in flat shapes with acrylic and then using oil stick to give them a textured quality. Emphasising the use of recycled materials, from the silk wallpaper remnants commonly found in Korean homes to leftover school supplies, such as brushes, water containers, and paints, Lee Gihun builds layers of meaning into his artworks and invites viewers to look beyond the surface of their fantastical imagery to contemplate the fragile balance of life in the modern world.
Accompanied by the talented London/Seoul-based DJ Jaeho Hwang, for an exclusive live painting event, this event invited collectors to experience the captivating synergy between art and music. As Lee Gihun's live painting blended with the rhythms, space, and audience, for an immersive art experience.
This was a rare chance to be part of and explore the creative process. DJ Jaehho Hwang showcased his unique musical vision, reinterpreting and creating a dialogue to elevate the atmosphere and blend seamlessly alongside Lee Gihun painting for an evening where art, music, and the energy of the crowd came together in a vibrant, dynamic exchange.
