Untitled 2008

Here, we see a work by Lee Ufan. It’s an untitled work featuring a single brushstroke in black ink against a white background. Lee Ufan emerged as a leading figure in the late 1960s, at the height of the anti-establishment mood, and his work really challenged the conventions of art as a commodity. His minimalist art arose in a cultural context marked by the clash between tradition and modernity. Born in Korea under Japanese rule, Lee's art developed from his experiences of displacement and cultural negotiation. As an active member of the 'Mono-ha' or 'School of Things' movement, he sought to break away from traditional representation to reveal the essence of materials. This approach invites us to contemplate the relationship between what is there and what is not. Lee Ufan encourages a meditative encounter, stating, "The most important thing is to create a place where nothing emerges." He is provoking a conversation about the void, about absence, inviting viewers to confront the limitations and possibilities of perception. The painting becomes an invitation to meditate on the self, on identity.