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
Please contact here for details on available work by Lee Gihun
StolenSpace Gallery is excited to present the new solo show Masquerade by Lee Gihun. Opening on Wednesday October 9th, the gallery will be turned into Lee Gihun's studio for the week, view him creating pieces for this body of work. Thursday 10th October join us for an immersive art experience 6 - 8pm. Details to register below.
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.
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.
Exclusive Live painting event
Accompanied by the talented London/Seoul-based DJ Jaeho Hwang, 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.
