Lee Seung-taek's First UK Survey at White Cube Mason's Yard Showcases Decades of Experimental Art

Lee Seung-taek's inaugural exhibition in the UK took place at White Cube Mason's Yard in London from 25 May to 30 June 2018, showcasing his artistic journey from the late 1950s to today. Although his significant and daring body of work is impressive, Lee remains largely unrecognized in both Europe and his home country, Korea, due to his unconventional style that diverges from mainstream postwar Korean art. The exhibition is divided into two parts: the first room features small stone sculptures and three-dimensional canvas works from the 1970s, 1980s, and 2010s, utilizing rope to challenge material perceptions, as seen in Godret Stone (1958) and Untitled pieces from 1978–80. These pieces question material properties, making stones feel light and revealing layers in paper, while also addressing themes of eroticism and violence through bondage. Conversely, the lower ground floor presents large installations from the 1960s, recreated for this show, including vibrant vinyl sculptures on steel frames that resemble trees, totems, or human forms, along with the Oji series inspired by traditional Korean jars. Drawings near the exit illustrate these installations in natural settings, emphasizing Lee's exploration of wind, smoke, and fire as artistic mediums. Featured in the Summer 2018 edition of ArtReview Asia, the exhibition seeks to familiarize a wider audience with Lee's intricate and whimsical work, aiming for overdue acknowledgment of his groundbreaking contributions.