Lee Ufan's First Solo Show in Venice at San Marco Art Center

Lee Ufan, the renowned Korean artist, is finally having a solo exhibition in Venice, held at the San Marco Art Center (SMAC) in the Procuratie Vecchie of Piazza San Marco. The exhibition, which runs until November 22, 2026, occupies eight rooms recently restored by architect David Chipperfield. Curated by Jessica Morgan, director of the Dia Art Foundation, the show traces the evolution of Lee's artistic language over seven decades, featuring historical paintings, recent works, and site-specific installations. It also serves as a tribute to the artist's 90th birthday. This is the first recognition of its kind that Venice has granted him in over fifty years of career. A precise document attests to this long wait: in a letter to fellow artist Park Seo-bo at the end of September 1974, Lee wrote, "It must really be the Venice Biennale above all others," expressing his hope to convince the Korean Fine Arts Association. The exhibition is a significant milestone for both the artist and the city, highlighting Lee's enduring influence and the importance of the newly restored venue.