Lee Bae's 'En attendant' at Museum SAN: A Monumental Ode to Charcoal

At Museum SAN in Wonju, South Korea, artist Lee Bae presents 'En attendant,' a large-scale exhibition devoted to his three-decade exploration of charcoal, transformation, and nature's cycles. This marks the first solo presentation by a Korean artist at the museum since its opening. The exhibition spans six spaces, from interior galleries to the surrounding landscape, featuring painting, sculpture, installation, and video. The title, French for 'while waiting,' reflects a meditation on time. Bae's process begins with burning wood to create charcoal, a material embodying destruction and renewal. Works like the 'Brushstroke' series translate painting's physical movement into repetitive gestures resembling calligraphy, while 'Becoming' incorporates soil from his hometown of Cheongdo and a video projection, with plants growing over time. Notable pieces include 'Issu de feu' (2003), a six-panel charcoal work, and a 2026 bronze sculpture. The exhibition runs from April 7 to December 6, 2026.