LEE Sangmin

Installation view

Gallery SKLO is pleased to present the third solo exhibition by artist Sangmin Lee, titled 《Epiphany,》 from August 8th to September 13th, 2024. Since 2017, Lee has explored themes of immateriality, the eternity of time, and the spirituality of the soul through the interplay of glass and light. Following his previous ‘Bowl series’ which connects past and present temporalities, and the ‘Cactus series,’ a metaphor for resilience during the pandemic, this exhibition introduces his latest ‘Foliage series,’ featuring 12 new works.

일시적 순간 9 Transient Moment 9, 2024, h142.6 x w142.6 x d6 cm, Engraved glass and framed

In his new series ‘Transient Moment,’ Lee draws inspiration from the leaves he encounters in the early morning around his studio. These works capture the fleeting moments when water droplets glisten on leaves, rendered through delicate shading and lines that interact with light. The resulting pieces evoke a dialogue between the transient and the eternal, emphasizing the artist’s ongoing exploration of time.

일시적 순간 7 Transient Moment 7, 2024, h124 x w104 x d6 cm, Engraved glass and framed

Lee Sangmin (b. 1966), after studying in France, chose glass as his medium, creating works like ‘Odeur’ (1998), where burnt leaves are placed between panes of glass, and ‘Sound Installation’ (2001), featuring ear-shaped sculptures inside glass bottles. As his work evolved in the 2000s, Lee began to visualize waves, memory, and time, drawing from personal experiences, such as the childhood memory of skipping stones. His fascination with the ephemeral ripples on water led to the ‘Bowl series,’ where he engraved outlines of traditional Korean bowls on glass, simulating the effect of submerged vessels, thus merging past and present temporalities.

일시적 순간 6 Transient Moment 6, 2024, h124 x w104 x d6 cm, Engraved glass and framed

In ‘Transient Moment,’ Lee’s meticulous depiction of foliage highlights the interplay of light, shadow, and the viewer’s perspective. The delicate lines and contours of the leaves shift as the viewer moves, mimicking the flow of water over the foliage. This dynamic interaction invites viewers to contemplate the fluidity of time, narrowing the gap between the momentary and the eternal.

Detail cut of <일시적 순간 5 Transient Moment 5>

Lee’s work encourages an immersive experience, where the viewer becomes an active participant in the dialogue between light, glass, and form. The exhibition offers a moment of reflection on the eternal, as viewers engage with the vibrant and ever-changing forms of the leaves, a testament to the artist’s meditative approach to time and existence.

Gallery Sklo
1F. 29, Dasan-ro, 16-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul 04591 Korea
+82-2-2236-1583

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