Lee Ufan: From Mono-ha Theorist to Avignon's Palais des Papes
Born in 1936, Korean artist Lee Ufan is recognized as the leading theorist of Mono-ha, Japan's pioneering contemporary art movement. His artistic focus lies in the interaction of materials, space, and the audience. Ufan, who started his journey in Haman, Korea, relocated to Japan in 1956 to pursue philosophy. In 1968, he emerged as the voice of Mono-ha, articulating its principles in essays beginning in 1969. By 1972, he consolidated his sculptures under the title 'Relatum'. After joining Tama Art University as a professor in 1973, he resumed painting, creating the 'From Point' and 'From Line' series. His accolades include a Guggenheim retrospective in 2011 and installations at Versailles in 2014 and Centre Pompidou-Metz in 2019. He is set to showcase his work at Palais des Papes in Avignon from July 3 to November 15, 2026.
Key facts
- Lee Ufan was born on June 24, 1936, in Haman, Korea.
- He is the principal theorist of Mono-ha, Japan's first international contemporary art movement.
- In 1968, he met artist Nobuo Sekine, prompting him to write essays from 1969.
- He studied philosophy at Nihon University in Tokyo, influenced by Nishida Kitarō.
- In 1973, he became a professor at Tama Art University.
- He developed the series 'From Point' and 'From Line' from the 1970s to mid-1980s.
- Three museums are dedicated to him: Lee Ufan Museum (Naoshima, 2010), Busan Museum of Art (2015), and Lee Ufan Arles (2022).
- He donated works to the Guimet Museum in 2002.
- He will exhibit at the Palais des Papes in Avignon from July 3 to November 15, 2026.
- The exhibition is titled 'Relatum: Lee Ufan'.
Entities
Artists
- Lee Ufan
- Nobuo Sekine
- Tadao Andō
- Nishida Kitarō
- Susumu Koshimizu
- Katsuro Yoshida
Institutions
- Mono-ha
- Nihon University
- Tama Art University
- Guggenheim Museum
- Centre Pompidou-Metz
- Lee Ufan Museum
- Busan Museum of Art
- Lee Ufan Arles
- Guimet Museum
- Palais des Papes
- Dansaekhwa
- MoMA
- Dia Art Foundation
- Gary Tatintsian Gallery
- Tate Modern
- Serpentine Gallery
- Benesse Art Site
- Galerie Kamel Mennour
- Sumu Rikyu Park
Locations
- Haman
- Korea
- Japan
- Tokyo
- Seoul
- New York
- Versailles
- Metz
- Naoshima
- Busan
- Arles
- Avignon
- France
- Kobe
- Den-en Chofu Seseragi Park
- South Korea
- Paris
- London
- UK